Preseason is over and they made us wait two weeks for real football. That’s like grilling up a fat juicy steak, sitting it in front of you, and not letting you eat it for two weeks.

The Ravens 2026 offense is that juicy steak. You really don’t know what you have until you slice into it, take a mouthful, and taste it. Since we saw very few offensive starters take any snaps in the preseason, we just don’t know what we have. I will tell you my toes are tingling with anticipation because I think this could be the best Lamar Jackson lead offense we have ever seen.

To compliment the offense we have some very good defensive back ups. Our defensive backups only allowed one touchdown (and that was in trash time of the first preseason game) in 2-1/2 games. I say 2-1/2 games instead of 3 games because the Commanders are terrible so that game only counts as a 1/2 game. Most of the Ravens defensive starters didn’t play in any preseason games.

I like the new/young guys, OLB Ethan Burke, TE Matt Hibner, OG Vega Loane, WR Ja’Kobi Lane, WR Elijah Sarratt, OLB Zion Young, even the new punter Ryan Eckley all looked great in the preseason games. These guys proved themselves worthy of making the team by catching the ball, making tackles, and generally being around the ball to make plays. These preseason games were some of the cleanest played games we have seen out of a Ravens team. I know… I know all we have to go by are preseason games that don’t count, but I see a difference in this team. I can’t tell you exactly what it is yet; could be new coaches, different attitudes, younger hungrier players. They just look sharp.

But…. unfortunately, there’s always a but, and this one could be copied and pasted from almost every season, let’s talk the state of the offensive line. The O-line is going to start the season with an unproven, slotted to be a backup, just declared the starter on Monday 6 days before the game center Jovaughn Gwyn. Jovaughn has some big shoes to fill after we lost three time Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders in free agency. The hope is the two guards (rookie 2026 first round pick Vega Loane and 7 year vet John Simpson) can help Gwyn. A new season and new center for Lamar who has had 5 different week one starting centers in his 9 year career.

The Ravens start the season on the road against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts starting QB Daniel Jones is coming off last year’s season-ending Achilles injury and did not play in any preseason games. This could make him very vulnerable to the Ravens highly anticipated, much improved pass rush. Head coach Jesse Minter will be calling the defensive plays from the sideline. Let’s see how he dials up the pass rush with Calais Campbell and Trey Henderson on the ends and Nnamdi Madubuike (I think Nnamdi is going to start) up the middle. This could be special. The Colts defense gave up 72 points in the 3 preseason games the Ravens defense gave up 13. Ravens’ new offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle has installed a new system that will allow Doyle to hand the ball to Lamar and the offense, sit back, and watch the magic.

GO RAVENS!!!

Remember, my picks are based on how the outcome would affect the Ravens. They are who we want to win, not who we think will win. So, don’t bet the leftover vacation money (if you have any) on my picks.

WEEK 1
Wednesday Night 8:20 PM

Seahawks over Patriots
A Super Bowl rematch, rooting for the Seahawks, NFC over AFC

Thursday Night 8:35 PM EDT

49ers vs Rams in Melbourne Australia
What time will it be in Melbourne if the time in time in Baltimore is Thursday 8:35 PM? Let’s do the math (don’t forget to show your work to get full credit). Starting Thursday 9/10/26 8:35 PM EDT in Baltimore, add 14 hours, cross the dateline so plus one day, it will be Friday 9/11/26 at 10:35 AM Melbourne local time. With a 10:35 AM kickoff I guess they will need to start tailgating the night before.
NFC West match up that at this time doesn’t affect the Ravens, so you pick’em.

Sunday 1:00 PM

RAVENS over Colts
With nothing to go off of, Week 1 is just a bunch of questions.
Can the Ravens continue the momentum started in the preseason? What will Doyle’s offense look like, more running or passing, more under center or shotgun? How will the defense perform with Minter calling the plays? Will we stay healthy? We will all find out together. I can’t wait to get this train rolling! BTW, I am still not completely over the Colts leaving Baltimore.

GO RAVENS!!!

Falcon over Steelers
Of course! This game is in Pittsburgh hoping to send the Steeler fans home with a loss.

Buccaneers over Bengals
This is a home game for the Bengals so DITTO above.

Jaguars over Browns
Can the Browns be as bad as the pundits say they are? I hope so!

Sunday 4:00

Packers over Vikings
This will be a good game to watch after the Ravens beat the Colts.

Cardinals over Chargers
Rooting for the NFC team to beat the AFC team.

Commanders over Eagles
Rooting for our Commander fan friends. This could be ugly.

Sunday Night 8:20

Giants over Cowboys
Wishing John Harbaugh good luck.

Monday Night 8:15

Bronco vs Chiefs
You pick’em.

Here’s to Week 1 finally getting here! Enjoy the games like it’s been 7 months since we’ve had real football.

And that just The View From 151

GO RAVENS!!!