Battle of Bell Cows: Ravens vs. Colts – NFL Expert Picks & Predictions (9/13)
Written by: Justin Carlucci
Published: Wed Sep 09, 2026, 9:00 am ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
nfl
Spread
Total
Moneyline
-3.5
100
48
-105u
-171
Spread
Total
Moneyline
+3.5
-115
47.5
-107o
+155
Welcome to my Ravens vs. Colts predictions for Sunday, Sept. 13! The NFL is back, and Week 1 gives us an interesting AFC matchup as Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens head to Indianapolis to face Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor, and the Colts. Baltimore carries the more complete roster into Week 1, but the Ravens still have to clear a 3.5-point number away from home in their first game under a new staff.
For additional information on picks, props, moneylines, and more for Week 1, take a look at our NFL Picks Page or our NFL Odds Page. Now, let's dive into my Ravens vs. Colts expert picks for Sunday.
Ravens vs. Colts Predictions and Expert Picks for Sunday – 9/13/26
The Ravens have new leadership on the sideline with Jesse Minter, the Colts are working Jones back into a real live-game setting, and both offenses have every reason to lean on their superstar running backs. That points us toward a game with plenty of physical football, a moving clock, and a total that could be a touch high. If you're not sure where to bet, check out some of the best sportsbooks!
Ravens vs. Colts Date, Time & Location
- Location: Lucas Oil Stadium; Indianapolis, Indiana
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026
- Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET
Ravens vs. Colts Odds: Spread, Moneyline & Total
Odds via Lucky Rebel, an industry leader in the sports betting world:
-
Baltimore Ravens -3.5 (-103)
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Baltimore Ravens Moneyline (-180)
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Indianapolis Colts +3.5 (-117)
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Indianapolis Colts Moneyline (+155)
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Over 48 (-110)
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Under 48 (-110)
Ravens vs. Colts Preview: NFL Predictions for Week 1
Baltimore has the more proven quarterback, the more proven offense, and a roster built to make another run at the AFC. Jackson remains one of the few players in football who can turn a dead play into 35 yards before the television broadcast has caught up. Derrick Henry is still Derrick Henry, which is an inconvenient reality for every defense that has to tackle him in September.
Still, the Ravens are not walking into Indianapolis with a completely unchanged operation.
Jesse Minter takes over as Baltimore's head coach after John Harbaugh's long tenure, while Declan Doyle becomes the offensive coordinator. Jackson has spoken highly about his relationship with Doyle, but the opener will be the first genuine test of how Baltimore's new structure operates when the communication is live, the crowd is loud, and mistakes actually count.
Indianapolis enters the opener with plenty of moving parts. Jones is returning from a season-ending injury, Alec Pierce lost valuable practice time, and Tyler Warren's groin issue limited his buildup. With Michael Pittman Jr. no longer part of the offense, the Colts may need Taylor to shoulder an even heavier workload.
That does not mean Indianapolis is dead in the water. Taylor can make any defense look silly if he gets loose, and the Colts are catching Baltimore at a time when the Ravens have a new coaching staff, a new system, and some personnel questions along the offensive line.
Ravens vs. Colts Expert Pick: Backing The Under Week 1
Best Bet: Ravens vs. Colts Under 48 −110 | Lucky Rebel
My favorite Ravens-Colts pick for Week 1 is Under 48 total points.
This game has two of the league's rare true bell-cow running backs. Baltimore can hand the ball to Henry, Indianapolis can hand it to Taylor, and neither coaching staff should need to get too cute early in the season. That is especially true for the Colts, who have every reason to ease Jones back into the action rather than ask him to play backyard football 40 times in his first game back.
Baltimore's cleanest offensive path is likely to feed Henry early and make Indianapolis deal with the NFL's least enjoyable tackling assignment. A successful run game keeps Jackson out of obvious passing downs, makes the new offense easier to manage, and shortens the game. That is all music to an under bettor's ears.
Week 1 generally rewards teams that do what they know. For these offenses, that means running the football, avoiding unnecessary mistakes, and asking their defenses to hold up. At 48 total points, I'll dabble on the under.
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Carlucci spent nearly a decade as a reporter, editor, and on-air talent in the Poconos. His transition into the fantasy sports and sports betting industries began in 2016 with roles at Daily Fantasy Insider and Daily Roto Sharks, which led to positions at Better Collective (RotoGrinders). During this period, his work gained national recognition through regular contributions to the New York Post and featured appearances on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. Carlucci has also contributed to Fantasy Alarm and most recently served as Managing Editor at Third Planet Media (Props.com), where he led content strategy, editorial direction, and served as the forward-facing voice of the brand through live streams and podcasts. You can also find his work at Matthew Berry's Fantasy Life and Hard Rock Digital. He's for some reason a die-hard Titans and 76ers fan and has developed trust issues from "trusting the process." Follow him on X @ThejCarlucci!
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