Jurgens (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
The Ravens designated Tampa (toe/ankle) to return from injured reserve Wednesday.
Hibner (hand) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Ogletree (ankle) did not participate at the Colts' practice Wednesday.
Dulin (hamstring) was a limited participant at the Colts' practice Wednesday.
Jackson (ankle) was listed as a limited participant Wednesday.
Bateman (shoulder) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.
Warren (groin) did not practice Wednesday.
Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said that Jackson got some "limited" work in with the team during Wednesday's practice, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.
Warren (groin) wasn't spotted on the field for the open portion of Wednesday's practice, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
The love for the Colts is understandable, especially with the hook. Indianapolis got off to an insane start last season, and Baltimore is coming in with a new coach and revised offensive system. However, that’s precisely why the Ravens are the move. Jesse Minter should keep the defense humming, while Declan Doyle is employing a completely new scheme, putting Lamar Jackson under center and taking advantage of Zay Flowers’ athleticism. The Colts will be coming into this relatively blind, and while there could be some kinks to iron out for Jackson, I trust him to do exactly that over four quarters in a controlled yet loud road environment. The hook is gone, but this is unlikely to hit -2.5, so let’s play it.
The Colts are surprisingly healthy to start the season on both sides of the ball. I like the offensive line and run game quite a bit here, but the defense should be stout too with Gardner, Ward, and Buckner. Baltimore has a ton of upside, no doubt, but I don’t love the road start while breaking in a new coaching staff and offensive play-calling. Give me the Colts +3.5 at home.
Alec Pierce is coming off an impressive season where he looks to have entrenched himself as a key playmaker for the Colts. That being said, he looks like a big regression candidate considering his off charts efficiency last season paired with a poor Open Score, as well as TPRR. Couple that with a difficult matchup against a vastly improved Ravens pass rush, additional targets in Indy (Keenan Allen, Tyler Warren, Josh Downs), and Pierce and Daniel Jones are likely both operating at less than 100%. This looks like a great spot to fade the deep threat and I’m willing to pay a steep price.
The Ravens and Colts finished 8-9 last season, missing the playoffs. The Ravens have a new head coach, replacing John Harbaugh with Jesse Minter, who also brought in a new offensive coordinator, Declan Doyle. Expect some new spice in the Ravens offense. The Colts have QB Daniel Jones back after tearing his Achilles, but before that were 7-1 with Jonathan Taylor running the ball looking like an MVP candidate. They looked to have one of the fiercest offenses in the AFC. The Colts beat the Ravens the last time they played in 2023. Lamar Jackson had by far the lowest rushing total of his career, and I think that's going to continue. That part takes away half of what makes him great as a quarterback.
The Ravens were vulnerable to slot receivers last season, and Sunday's matchup sets up well for Josh Downs. Michael Pittman Jr. is gone. Keenan Allen is available but aging and relatively new to the offense. And Alec Pierce has been limited with a heel injury. Look for Downs to clear this relatively modest number in a high-scoring environment.
Colts coach Shane Steichen faced off with Jesse Minter last season, when Minter served as the Chargers' defensive coordinator. The Colts shredded LA 38-24, with Jonathan Taylor and Daniel Jones accounting for five touchdowns. I'm not expecting that kind of offfensive outburst Sunday in Indianapolis, when Minter's Ravens visit. But Baltimore shouldn't be laying over a field goal. The Colts start the season with DeForest Buckner, Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward healthy. Somehow, Daniel Jones looks recovered from his torn Achilles tendon. And Alec Pierce is expected to play through his heel injury. Grab the points.
The Colts made a statement by trading stalwart Michael Pittman to the Steelers and choosing to re-sign Pierce to a four-year extension worth $84 million guaranteed. Pierce spent the preseason battling an ankle injury for which he had surgery in March. But he’s been cleared for Week 1 and last year his connection with QB Daniel Jones was evident. Pierce managed his first career 1,000-yard season even with an injured Jones sidelined down the stretch. The coaching staff has said the receiver’s snaps might be limited early until he gets up to full game shape, but he’s the quarterback’s favorite target and they’ll need him to win the game. This number is short, and we anticipate prop value on Pierce in the early season.
We believe the Ravens are getting a little too much respect in this spread. Coach Jesse Minter is making his head coaching debut against a Colts club that came out on fire on their way to an 8-2 start before the injury to Daniel Jones and subsequent disastrous decision to bring Philip Rivers out of retirement as his replacement derailed their season. With Jones reportedly near full health behind one of the league's top offensive lines, we expect a competitive game that could easily see the underdog win outright.
It seems far-fetched but Daniel Jones appears to be healthy heading into this game after tearing his Achilles late last season. With that being the case, I have to back the Colts at this excellent value. Alec Pierce appears trending in the right direction as well, and with a strong run game and O-line in place, the Colts have an above average defense. That may also be true on the other side of the ball with their strong corner pairing the highlight of the unit. I have Baltimore's rating suppressed in Week 1 to account for a new coaching staff, but either way I don't think this line should be above 3.
