Colts and Ravens will meet on Thursday night's NFL preseason opener. The game will start at 7 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. and will be broadcast live on NFL Network.
John Harbaugh’s Ravens were a bettors’ delight in the NFL preseason from 2016 to 2023, winning 24 consecutive games outright in what became a calling card for a veteran coach that put an emphasis on execution and competition.
The exhibition winning streak ended in Week 2 of the 2023 preseason when the Ravens lost to the Commanders as 3-point favorites. Since that loss, Baltimore has gone on to fall short of covering the number in all four of their preseason contests spanning 2023 and 2024.
Let's get into my Colts vs. Ravens prediction and my NFL predictions for this Week 1 preseason clash.
Colts vs. Ravens Odds
| Colts Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -110 | 36.5 -110o / -110u | -250 |
| Ravens Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6 -110 | 36.5 -110o / -110u | +200 |
- Colts-Ravens Point Spread: Colts -6 (-110), Ravens +6 (-110)
- Colts-Ravens Total: Over/Under 36.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Colts-Ravens Moneyline: Colts -250, Ravens +200
NFL Picks: Preseason Week 1
This line has ballooned to -6 points at some sportsbooks with the news that Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will play the entire first half on Thursday night. While Harbaugh has not specified playing time in the same way Shane Steichen has, reporters around the Ravens don't expect the first-team defense to see any action.
From all accounts, Richardson looks to have a renewed focus in training camp. He has acknowledged changes needed to be made in order to solidify himself as the Colts’ franchise quarterback. It’s clear that the Colts coaching staff wants its third-year QB to take the starting gig by the horns. I expect he'll get an extended look here, slated to play 1 1/2 quarters before Jones finishes the half.
During joint practices this week between these teams, both quarterbacks were efficient, completing 24-of-30 combined passes in 11-on-11 with both teams' top units facing off.
As for the game, I'm expecting Richardson to lead the Colts’ offense on productive drives in the 3-5 series he plays in this game.
The expectation for the Ravens offense is that Cooper Rush will start this game before giving way to Devin Leary for an extended evaluation. While Rush is an experienced player in the NFL, he's in a new system under Todd Monken and will be facing a disguise-heavy, attacking defense from new Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
Rush should handle himself serviceably even without the assistance of the Ravens’ starting wide receivers. A young trio of wideouts in Baltimore have all created some buzz thus far in training camp — Dayton Wade, Devontez Walker and LaJohntay Webster. It’s unclear how much of a look Monken and the offensive staff need when it comes to Rush, with Monken even quoted as saying “Rush just gets it.”
I expect Rush will be treated similarly to starting quarterback status here given how clearly his job status is as Lamar Jackson’s backup. It’s Leary who concerns me. He was cut by the Ravens in 2024 after they had just used a sixth-round pick on him before spending the season on the practice squad.
Leary played in three exhibition games a year ago, completing 15-of-28 attempts (53%), averaging just 3.4 yards per attempt. He threw two interceptions and was sacked twice during that limited action, and added just 12 rushing yards on 8 carries. The evaluation on Leary is especially important because they need to ultimately make a determination on if he can serve as the teams’ third QB.
Colts vs. Ravens Predictions
The new three-game preseason format has led coaches to adopt various strategies. Some like to play their starters more in the opening week with camp having ramped up with the line of thinking being a minor injury can be remedied with plenty of time remaining before Week 1 of the regular season.
I get the feeling Harbaugh is still in the older school line of thinking, which sees Weeks 2 and 3 of the preseason as when some of his top players will take the field.
Oddsmakers already have a good handle on which teams like to approach their exhibition games in which manner. In week 1 of the 2024 preseason, four teams closed as greater than four point favorites and all four of them covered the number.
The Colts are clearly the team more focused on putting their best players on tape to open the preseason. This should translate to a fast start by the offense that the Ravens’ third and fourth stringers won’t be able to make up as the game progresses.
Pick: Colts -5.5 (Play to -6)
How to Watch Colts vs. Ravens
| Location: | M&T Bank Stadium |
| Date: | Thursday, August 7 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | NFL Network |
