Derrick Henry scores three times as Ravens overpower Colts 41-23.
INDIANAPOLIS — Derrick Henry turned back the clock Sunday, while Lamar Jackson looked every bit like the quarterback Baltimore expects him to be. Henry rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns, and Jackson accounted for two scores while throwing for 324 yards as the Ravens opened the season with a convincing 41-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
The win gave new Ravens coach Jesse Minter a successful debut and showcased an offense that piled up 506 total yards. Henry, now 32 and beginning his 12th NFL season, continued his dominance against Indianapolis. The veteran running back carried 24 times and recorded his 56th career 100-yard rushing game. He also moved into third place on the NFL's career rushing touchdown list, passing Hall of Famers Marcus Allen and former Colts receiver Marvin Harrison. Henry now has 125 rushing touchdowns and 130 total touchdowns.
Jackson provided plenty of fireworks of his own. The Ravens quarterback completed 17 of 25 passes for 324 yards while rushing seven times for 40 yards. He made several key plays with his legs, including a third-and-16 scramble in the opening quarter after escaping pressure near midfield. Three plays later, Baltimore found the end zone. Jackson finished the first half with 229 passing yards, connecting with Zay Flowers five times for 150 yards. Flowers broke loose for a 54-yard catch-and-run before leaving the game with a hamstring injury. Baltimore's offense wasted little time establishing control. Jonathan Taylor put Indianapolis ahead with a 1-yard touchdown run, but the Ravens quickly answered. Jackson scored on a 5-yard keeper before Henry added a 4-yard touchdown run. Flowers then hauled in a touchdown pass, and Henry broke free for a 32-yard gain as Baltimore built a 28-6 advantage.
Indianapolis managed to respond before halftime when Taylor scored again from 3 yards out. Baltimore, however, answered with Tyler Loop's 57-yard field goal to take a 31-13 lead into the break. The Ravens became just the fifth team in franchise history to score at least 31 points in the opening half. The Colts trimmed the deficit to 31-16 on Spencer Shrader's 58-yard field goal in the third quarter, but Baltimore quickly regained control. Henry capped the scoring surge with a 3-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, completing his third scoring run of the afternoon. Taylor finished with 98 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries but also lost a fumble that Baltimore turned into points. Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones completed 19 of 31 passes for 166 yards, one touchdown and one interception in his first game since suffering a torn Achilles last December. The loss extended a difficult trend for Indianapolis, which has now dropped 11 of its last 13 season openers. “We've got to be better,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said. “We've got to coach better. We've got to play better.”
Campbell reaches another milestone
Baltimore also saw veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell make history. Campbell, 40, made his return to the Ravens and recorded his 260th career start. That moved him into an exclusive group alongside Jim Marshall and Hall of Fame defensive lineman Bruce Smith.
Marshall finished his career with 272 starts, while Smith made 267.
Injury report
Flowers was ruled out in the third quarter with a hamstring injury. Baltimore also lost receiver Ja'Kobi Lane to a wrist injury.
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey briefly left in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a right leg injury, while T.J. Tampa Jr. exited after suffering a knee injury in the first quarter.
Indianapolis did not report any significant injuries from the game.
What's next
The Ravens return home next Sunday to host the New Orleans Saints.
The Colts will hit the road for a matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.
