Colts vs. Ravens: Indianapolis’ 10 Most Important Players in Week 1
After a long and almost anxious wait, the Indianapolis Colts are finally back.
Football returns to Lucas Oil Stadium this Sunday, Sept. 13, as the Colts open their regular season against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
There will be plenty of variables at play in Week 1. New faces, new schemes, lingering questions and the simple unpredictability that comes with the first game of an NFL season will all play a role.
But if the Colts are going to come away with a win, these are the 10 players who could have the biggest impact on the outcome.
10: Deforest Buckner
Buckner’s importance in this game is high. But expectations should remain relatively low as Buckner dealt with his neck injury. But, from training camp footage, Buckner looked to dismantle some of the Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman in 1-on-1 drills. So, an accurate prediction of his effectiveness early on is practically impossible to make.
If Buckner can appear to play even decently, generating a consistent pressure on Jackson, then the Colts will be in good shape on the defensive side of the ball.
9: Cam Bynum
Bynum, the newly named Colts captain, is sure to add that great electricity that Indy craves on game-day. As for his effect on the game, it's easy to assume he will have a big role in week 1’s bout.
But Bynum being as timely as he has in previous season is a necessity if the Colts hope to get in the win column. Whether it be batting, picking off, or completely shutting down passes. Bynum must prove he is able to handle a captain’s workload.
8: C.J Allen
C.J Allen, the rookie linebacker for the Colts, must be able to prove his second-round worth. Being the aggressive tackling machine he promised to be is the least he could do facing off against running back Derrick Henry week 1.
The Colts have been without a high-level linebacker threat for quite some time. Sure, there have been reliabilities like now Green Bay Packer linebacker Zaire Franklin, but a Shaquille Leonard replacement has been the unsaid goal.
C.J Allen is coming off a tough stretch in the Colts training camp period, as he has battled multiple injuries to his hamstring. It’s no easy task to return to your high-level play, which even Chirs Ballard told Allen.
But its the regular season now, and the Colts need some form of promise from Allen to be able to feel some type of security at the linebacker position. If not, the likes of Jaylon Carlies and Bryce Boetthcer are ready to pounce for Allen's place on the team.
7: Kennan Allen
Keenan Allen’s DUI arrest has certainly tainted what was an otherwise celebratory occasion when the Colts made the move to sign Allen. But nonetheless Allen does still add at least something to this Sunday's matchup.
And a question could be why Allen on this list over the likes of Alec Pierce or Josh Downs is? It’s a completely understandable question, and one that is answerable through a simple strand of logic. In that, Allen will either be one of two things. 1. A cornerback blanket, a type of player that is a magnet for attention. So much so that the defense will overcompensate for him whilst the aforementioned receivers – Pierce and Downs – get the bulk of receptions due to the attention Allen gets. Or, 2. Allen is a go to target for Jones due to the attention Pierce and Downs receive.
Either is undoubtedly great for the Colts, as Jones opportunities to spread the ball around will be ever present.
6: Tyler Warren
The one ‘receiving’ target I did not mention above was 2nd year tight end Tyler Warren. There is little to no doubt that Warren could thrust himself into ‘top tight end’ conversation this year if he starts and ends the year the same, he did in 2025 for the Colts. So, to say Daniel Jones is looking forward to getting another year with Warren under his belt is not to be taken lightly.
Tyler Warren is another rare kind of do all players that teams beg to have on their roster. To involve him in as many formations as possible for the Colts, will only strengthen their chances of winning week in and week out.
5: Jonathan Taylor
This pick is a no brainer. The whole of the Colts 2025 team revolved around Taylor, so to maintain the ‘pass to score, run to win’ gameplan that Steichen loves to preach, you need Taylor to get comfortable.
And in order to effectively slow down the Ravens, you need to wear them down. Taylor is your best gateway into scoring quick, and running out the clock when it matters.
4: Laiatu Latu
Colts edge rusher Laitau Latu is an ever-mentioned candidate for a breakout year, and in year 3, Latu needs one.
Last year for the horseshoe, it was no secret that they had a big pass rushing problem. Their inability to get home to the quarterback consistently is what created the urgency for the offense under Daniel Jones and the offense to have to score practically every time they touched the ball.
Latu, and quite a few new faces will lead the Colts coalition to be the dominant defense; defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo hopes they can be.
3: Sauce Gardner
The Colts star cornerback Sauce Gardner has his own battle to win, and it's the constant doubt that the league has in regard to him.
Whether it be through a lower ranking, or social media accounts, cherry picking clips of him falling short on one singular play. Suace Gardner needs a healthy season to be able to put claims of disapproval to rest.
Gardner will be in position in tandem with his defensive back counter parts to take the league by storm. And even if it’s not flashy, being effective in coverage and giving the Colts defensive line even a second more to get home for a sack would be an accomplishment for the Colts.
2: Colts O-Line
Practically a spoiler for who is number one on this list, but the Colts offensive line needs to protect Daniel Jones!
Not only that, but they also need to stay healthy. The message behind the Colts 2026-27 season is ‘find a way’ for a reason, so the big guys up front need to be able to provide assurance for Jones if the Colts want to legitimately pick up where they left off in 2025 pre-Jones’ achillies injury.
To return to the Colts' reign of dominance where both Jones and Taylor flourish. The likes of Quenton Nelson, Bernard Raimann, Tanor Bortilini, and others need to stay strong and not slip under pressure.
1: Daniel Jones
While it is never optimal to rely on a quarterback coming off such a severe injury, the Colts have put themselves in that exact situation.
Daniel Jones needs to at least showcase some ability to both have the game in his hands and manage.
The Colts do not need an MVP caliber season from Jones; they just need a game manager. A type of quarterback that has proven to be able to win Super Bowls. (Ex. Sam Darnold 2025-26)
Being able to spread the ball around in short and intermediate routes, make occasional deep throws, and hand the ball off is where Jones will do his best work. Now it’s up to head coach Shane Steichen and Jim Bob Cooter to do just that this Sunday.
Opinion
In order to both get in control and stay in control of this game against the Ravens. I would look to the Colts 2025 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Minter now the Ravens head coach, was the defensive coordinator.
Now, it is important to note that in this week 7 game against the Chargers, Los Angeles was noticeably injured. But it was an undeniably dominant performance on the Colts' behalf regardless. And the key to that powerful performance? Overwhelming them in every which way.
Not once in that game did the Colts let their foot off the gas petal. It was a mix of everyone in the effort to dismantle any chance the Chargers had of winning.
So, to win this game, I think the Colts will aim to do just that.
Consistent, ground and pound offense complimented by a big play defense that will also do their part on the road to winning in all three phases.
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