Months of work and preparation have led us to another season. It's been a while since we've seen Baltimore Ravens football that counts. We've discussedJesse Minter's new era and atmosphereuntil we're blue in the face. We've made predictions about Declan Doyle's work ethic and innovative offense.
Now comes another season of lofty expectations. TheIndianapolis Colts enter Week 1 carrying ambitions of their own. They collapsed during the second half of last season after an 8-2 start, but Shane Steichen's team remains talented enough to challenge anyone when things are clicking.
Season openers rarely unfold exactly as expected. New coordinators unveil wrinkles that haven't appeared on film. Players settle first-game nerves. Momentum swings unexpectedly.
Baltimore doesn't need a perfect performance to begin the season 1-0, but several areas could go a long way toward determining whether the Ravens leave Week 1 with a victory. Here are a few.
Establish defensive dominance in the trenches early
Few matchups will have a greater impact on Sunday's outcome than the battle along the line of scrimmage. The Colts feature one of the NFL's premier running backs in Jonathan Taylor, a player who in many ways resembles Derrick Henry because he combines power, vision, and game-breaking speed.
Limiting Taylor's effectiveness on early downs would force Indianapolis into less favorable situations and place more pressure on Daniel Jones. On the other side of the ball, Baltimore's offensive line must create room for Henry while handling a defensive front led by DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, and Laiatu Latu. If the Ravens consistently win at the point of attack, several other keys on this list become much easier to achieve.
Protect Lamar Jackson
The Ravens don't need Lamar Jackson to play superhero football in Week 1. They need him available for four quarters. Indianapolis added talent to every level of its defense and possesses multiple pass rushers capable of creating problems.
Latu led the Colts in sacks last season, while Buckner remains one of the league's most disruptive interior defenders. Arden Key and Adetomiwa Adebawore add even more athleticism to the front. Baltimore's offensive line enters the season opener with Jovaughn Gwyn expected to start at center, making communication and protection adjustments even more important. Keeping Jackson clean won't guarantee victory, but consistent pressure dramatically increases the difficulty.
Win the red-zone battle.
Opening-day football often comes down to execution in critical moments. Both teams possess enough offensive firepower to move the football between the 20-yard lines. The question is which team capitalizes when scoring opportunities arrive. Baltimore would love to see Henry's physical running style and Jackson's creativity create problems near the goal line.
Defensively, the Ravens must prevent Indianapolis from turning promising drives into touchdowns. Field goals are easier to survive. Touchdowns change games. If Baltimore wins the battle inside the red zone, it may ultimately win the battle on the scoreboard.
Generate explosive plays on offense and eliminate them on defense.
This was one of Minter's most frequently discussed points throughout training camp. The Ravens have explosive-play potential all over the field. Jackson can create chunk gains with his arm or legs. Zay Flowers remains one of the league's most dangerous open-field weapons. Rashod Bateman and Ja'Kobi Lane provide downfield threats capable of changing field position in a single snap.
The challenge is preventing Indianapolis from doing the same. Taylor remains capable of turning a routine handoff into a long touchdown run, while Alec Pierce has developed a reputation as one of the NFL's better vertical threats. Explosive plays can erase otherwise solid football. Baltimore needs to create them more often than it allows them.
Be successful on field-goal attempts.
It isn't the flashiest key, but it may be one of the most important. Week 1 games often feel sloppier than contests played later in the season. Drives stall. Opportunities are missed. Points become precious. Baltimore enters the season with Tyler Loop expected to handle kicking duties, and every scoring opportunity could prove significant.
The Colts averaged 31 points in their eight victories last season and showed they can stress opposing defenses when their offense finds rhythm. If Sunday's opener turns into the type of one-possession game that Ravens fans know all too well, special teams could determine the outcome.
Final thought
The Ravens don't need to unveil every wrinkle of Declan Doyle's offense or play a flawless football game to begin the season with a victory. They do, however, need to control the areas that most often decide close games.
If Baltimore wins the battle up front, protects Lamar Jackson, executes in the red zone, creates more explosive plays than it allows, and capitalizes on scoring opportunities, the Ravens should give themselves an excellent chance to leave Week 1 with a 1-0 record. In a conference as competitive as the AFC, every early victory matters.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens vs. Colts: Five keys to a Week 1 victory for Baltimore
