Another week passes, and the Baltimore Ravens check another box. A Week 1 road game? No problem! Jesse Minter's era begins with a win. The Indianapolis Colts were no match. Lamar Jackson looked sharp. Derrick Henry powered the rushing attack. The defense made life difficult for Indianapolis for much of the afternoon.
As encouraging as that performance was, Week 1 is rarely the finished product. The NFL season is a marathon, and the first month often serves as an extension of training camp. Roles evolve, opportunities emerge, and players who were relatively quiet one week can become major contributors the next.
With the New Orleans Saints coming to Baltimore after an overtime loss in Week 1, the Ravens can build momentum before the schedule becomes
more demanding. Several players also have a chance to take meaningful steps forward. Here are four Ravens who could begin (or continue) to capitalize on some momentum in Week 2.
LaJohntay Wester, wide receiver
LaJohntay Wester's Week 1 workload was notable even if the stat sheet wasn't. He logged 20 offensive snaps while adding another nine on special teams. That's a meaningful role for a player still carving out his place in Baltimore's offense, particularly on a team with established options at receiver, tight end, and running back.
Week 2 could give that role room to grow. Baltimore is dealing with injuries in its receiving corps as Ja'Kobi Lane heads to injured reserve. Zay Flowers continues to work through a hamstring injury.
The Ravens may need additional contributions beyond their primary pass catchers. Wester's versatility already gives him value on special teams. If he earns a few more offensive opportunities against New Orleans, he could begin turning a supporting role into something more significant.
Rashod Bateman, wide receiver
Few Ravens have a clearer opportunity than Rashod Bateman. Zay Flowers may not play, and even if he does suit up, it is fair to wonder how close he will be to full strength.
Losing Lane for the foreseeable future opens the door for Bateman. Will the latter continue to struggle, or will he show he's a ready and willing beneficiary? Lamar Jackson has never been shy about expressing confidence in his teammate. During a recent practice, he did so again.
Lamar Jackson on Rashod Bateman:
— Bobby Trosset (@bobbytrosset) September 16, 2026
"We have a great relationship. My guy's actually gonna get a lot more targets, I believe, with guys going down just because our offense is so explosive. ... Bate played great, besides him not getting the ball. ... Sometimes in certain games, you… pic.twitter.com/bCrvzyZlHP
The Ravens have long believed Bateman possesses the talent to be a difference-maker. If there was ever a week for him to take advantage of increased opportunities, this feels like it.
Travis Jones, nose tackle
The Ravens spent much of the offseason hearing questions about their defensive front. Between injuries, roster turnover, and depth concerns, there was no shortage of discussion about whether Baltimore had enough size and talent in the trenches. Travis Jones helped quiet some of that conversation in Week 1.
Jones finished with four tackles against Indianapolis. Three were solo stops, and two resulted in tackles for loss. More importantly, he consistently looked disruptive at the point of attack and helped Baltimore control the line of scrimmage.
One strong performance doesn't answer every question about a defensive front over a 17-game season. It does, however, provide a glimpse of what Baltimore can become if Jones continues playing at a high level. The home opener presents another opportunity to build on an encouraging start.
Nate Wiggins, cornerback
Sometimes a breakout season begins before anyone realizes it. During the offseason, Nate Wiggins shared that he had been playing through health issues for years. He estimatedhe had been operating at roughly 60 percent physically since high school.
Entering 2026, he believes he is finally healthy. The early returns were encouraging. Wiggins looked comfortable, confident, and explosive against Indianapolis. He played with the type of speed and fluidity that made him such an intriguing addition to Baltimore's secondary in the first place.
Is it premature to state an All-Pro campaign is possible? Truthfully, it may not be. If Week 1 previewed what a healthy Wiggins looks like, opposing quarterbacks may find themselves avoiding his side of the field more often as the season progresses.
Final thought
Upswings and momentum don't always begin with a huge statistical performance. Sometimes they start with additional snaps, increased trust from coaches, or a growing role within the game plan.
The Ravens saw signs of that in Week 1. Wester appears positioned for more opportunities, Bateman could benefit from a changing receiver rotation, Jones looks ready to build on a strong opener, and Wiggins may be showing what he can do when fully healthy.
If those trends continue against New Orleans, Baltimore's Week 1 victory could look less like a strong start and more like the beginning of something bigger.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 4 Ravens who could create or build on momentum in Week 2 vs. Saints
