The Indianapolis Colts open Week 1 of the 2026 regular season at home against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Colts are entering this game as the betting underdogs, but do the NFL experts agree? Let's take a look at who several analysts are picking to win this game.
NFL.com
Only one of NFL.com's five analysts is picking the Colts to win. Here is why Dan Parr is going with the Ravens:
"First-year Ravens head coach Jesse Minter has an opportunity to prove his worth right away against an offense that scored in bunches when QB Daniel Jones was healthy last year. Minter needs no reminder of that fact, as the Colts went on the road and dropped 38 on his Chargers in Week 7, the most points allowed by the Bolts all season. Can the defensive guru avenge that loss with
his new crew? On paper, he has the weaponry to make it happen. It will certainly help if Jones is at all rusty in his first game back since tearing his Achilles in December."
ESPN
A clean sweep. All eight of ESPN's expert analysts are picking the Ravens to win this matchup.
CBS Sports
Pete Prisco is picking the Ravens to win a high-scoring game, 34-27.
"The Ravens and first-year coach Jesse Minter face a tough road game to open the season. Lamar Jackson and the new-look offense will have success here on the fast track. The Colts won't be able to match that. Look for a lot of points in this one with Jackson winning it."
Pro Football Talk.
Another vote for the Ravens. Mike Florio is picking Baltimore to win 24-20.
"The team that fled Baltimore in 1984 hosts the team that backfilled the vacancy 12 years later. It’s a tough opener for a new coaching staff, but the Ravens have Lamar Jackson — and he seems to be a big believer in the new offense."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts vs. Ravens: Experts predict winner of Week 1 matchup
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