3 matchups that led to the Colts' 41-23 loss to the Ravens in the season opener

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3 matchups that led to the Colts' 41-23 loss to the Ravens in the season opener

Doyel: One game into season, Colts fans are either furious or apathetic. Which is worse?

Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star

Sun, Sep 13, 2026 ·

4 min read

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INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts were beaten in almost every way in their season opener.

The Indianapolis defense got steamrolled by Baltimore 's offense, the offense had trouble putting together drives and the special teams units were plagued by penalties on returns in a disheartening 41-23 loss that left the Lucas Oil crowd booing early.

For the most part, it was a thorough beatdown, but there were a couple of matchups that played a role in Baltimore making the season opener a beatdown early.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) adjusts his helmet Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Arden Key (98) claps his hands with teammates on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)

Simone Biles shows her outfit to her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) embraces Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen (10) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen high-fives Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)

Kalen Jackson (left) speaks with her sister Carlie Irsay-Gordon on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a Indianapolis Colts game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen hugs his daughter, Stella, on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin (16) puts on his helmet Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) throws Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) practices Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (13) catches the ball Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Justin Walley (27) catches the ball Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton looks up at the stands Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a Indianapolis Colts game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)

Simone Biles (bottom) speaks with people in the stands Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a Indianapolis Colts game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)

Simone Biles stands on the sideline Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Micheal Clemons (72) warms-up Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) puts on his helmet Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts Chris Ballard high-fives Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws the ball Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)

Simone Biles kisses her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38), Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)

Simone Biles holds hands with her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)

Colts CB Justin Walley vs. Ravens WR Zay Flowers

For two years now, Indianapolis has been high on Walley, the cornerback the team drafted in the third round out of Minnesota .

Walley was in line to start on the outside as a rookie, and even after a torn ACL cost Walley his entire rookie season, the Colts remained so confident in the young cornerback that they parted ways with long-time nickel Kenny Moore II.

Moore's decision to ask for his release was based on a shift in the defense. Indianapolis planned to play more man-to-man coverage, and Moore is ill-suited to play in man-to-man. Walley, the thinking went, gave Indianapolis an option in the slot who'd be able to handle man-to-man coverage duties.

Walley's first game call that theory into question. Forced into one-on-one matchups early against Flowers, one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL, Walley struggled mightily. Walley struggled especially with Flowers running horizontally across the field, giving up a 49-yard catch-and-run on the first play.

What's even more concerning for the Colts is that Walley continued to struggle after Flowers left the game with a hamstring injury. Walley gave up a first down on a crossing route to Rashod Bateman —another play where he was asked to cover a receiver across the field — and looked like he failed to break on a short route.

The crossing routes are particularly concerning. One of the reasons the Colts were willing to move on from Moore is that the veteran cornerback often struggled to run with receivers on crossing routes; if Walley can't provide an upgrade there, there is little reason to believe Walley will be successful in the slot.

Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo vs. Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle

Doyle, a 30-year-old making his first appearance as an NFL play-caller, had answers for everything Anarumo tried to throw at him.

From the start, it was clear that Doyle understood his offense's primary weakness, inexperience in the interior. An injury to former Colt Danny Pinter forced the Ravens to start little-used journeyman Jovaughn Gwyn at center, flanked by a rookie making the first start of his NFL career and a veteran who has bounced around the league, John Simpson . Indianapolis defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart had an advantage.

For the most part, that matchup played out the way most people would expect it. Buckner, Stewart and the rest of the Indianapolis interior defensive line gave the Ravens guards and center troubles, repeatedly drawing penalties and beating Baltimore's blockers for pressure.

Baltimore's first play was a bootleg, rolling Jackson out and away from the potential pressure of the interior of the offensive line. The first touchdown was another play with Jackson on the move, running to the outside instead of trying to run into the teeth of the Indianapolis defense.

Anarumo tried to take advantage of the Ravens' weakness by sending blitzes up the middle, but Doyle repeatedly gave Lamar Jackson easy outlets, allowing him to get the ball out of his hands quickly.

Colts LBs vs. Ravens RB Derrick Henry

Baltimore's one offensive weakness in Sunday's matchup sat squarely in the middle.

Doyle responded by simply avoiding the interior altogether. The Ravens started trying to stretch the Colts defense to the edges. Henry got off to a fairly slow start through the first half, but once Doyle made the adjustment to either run Henry to the edge or call traps, counters and other plays designed to create space in the middle, the big running back got moving.

Henry ripped through the Colts defense for 144 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries, a vintage performance keyed by Henry's ability.

Making matters worse, an Indianapolis linebacker group that rotated a trio of players — Akeem Davis-Gaither , Jaylon Carlies and Bryce Boettcher — was often swallowed by blocks beyond the line of scrimmage. When Henry broke through the first level, there was often no one there until Camryn Bynum got involved.

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter .

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 3 matchups that led to the Colts' 41-23 loss to the Ravens in the season opener

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3 matchups that led to the Colts' 41-23 loss to the Ravens in the season opener

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard through the years

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1

Colts CB Justin Walley vs. Ravens WR Zay Flowers

Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo vs. Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle

Colts LBs vs. Ravens RB Derrick Henry