KNEE-JERK REACTIONS: Ravens Run Over Colts, 24-16

The Ravens defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 24-16, in the 2025 preseason opener.

RSR staff react to what we saw here.

Chris Schisler

— Jalyn Armour Davis played confident football. He knows his assignment and we’re seeing his maturation.

— I would have liked to see Malaki Starks get tested a little more, not much to report on there. Seemed to communicate well and move to the right spot in a small sample.

— LaJohntay Wester is a keeper. I’ve been hyping him up and I would like to pat myself on the back tonight.

— I don’t need to see more Keaton Mitchell. He’s back. He’s explosive. Save the running back with an injury history for games that count.

— Cooper Rush did not make a wonderful first impression, to put it mildly.

— Rasheen Ali had a great night, but he’s gonna want that screen pass back. He can’t afford little things popping up on tape. His burst was on display though, so a great night overall.

— Ben Cleveland recovering the Leary fumble was a nice notch in his belt tonight. Hustle plays work will wonders for him even if it was an insignificant moment before the half.

TOUCHDOWN, @_KeatonMitchell

Tune in on WBAL! pic.twitter.com/m9kiJP5ruu

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 7, 2025

Rob Shields

Lots of things went right for the Ravens tonight. Defensively, they got pressure all night long, especially early in the game.

Outside of Kone’s devastating knee-injury, they came out relatively unscathed.

Tyler Loop unfortunately missed a 46-yard kick, but he was able to come back and make a longer one (52) and that had to help his confidence. Special teams looked good otherwise, with LaJohntay Wester turning heads as a PR and later on as a WR. He looks like a steal in the 6th round. Teams were an issue last year, for the first time in years. You can tell that has been a point of emphasis.

And maybe most importantly, Keaton Mitchell looks like he did in 2023. Giving this offense yet another weapon is scary. A reliable Mitchell gives the Ravens the ability to rest Derrick Henry a little more too, keeping him even fresher for January.

.@la_wester TO THE HOUSE

Tune in on WBAL! pic.twitter.com/kNQd43xeDs

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 7, 2025

Derek Arnold

Stop me if you’ve heard this one: the Ravens won with the running game and special teams. It was a throwback to the pre-Lamar days at M&T Bank Stadium tonight.

A lot to like, to be sure: Keaton Mitchell, Wester, Rasheen Ali, Mike Green, Adisa Isaac, Jalyn Armour-Davis, and others all put some good work in. Now that we know Mitchell is back-back, he shouldn’t see the field again this preseason, in my opinion. Let’s dress some more RBs for these last few games and keep him in bubble wrap.

Daniel Faalele got bull-rushed and steamrolled on a rep where Roger Rosengarten also lost, leading to a party at the quarterback. The Flock knows we’re likely stuck with Big Dan, Harbs’ boy, and the groaning about that fact is just going to get louder.

Having someone like Faalele protecting one of the best three quarterbacks on the planet isn’t ideal. It’s even more concerning when you watch the Ravens’ backup QBs play tonight. That was quite the stinker from Cooper Rush (2-for-4, 16 yards, 1 INT) and Devin Leary (3-for-12, 43 yards, 1 INT). The play of those two made it tough for any Ravens WRs to put anything good on film (at least anything that the All-22 won’t be needed to reveal).

I continue to be unimpressed by Jordan Stout, now in year four. He had a nice boomer, then the next time out only managed to pin the Colts at their own 18 while punting from just across midfield. You’d really like to see that one land inside the 10, if the not the 5. Sam Koch spoiled us.

The rest of the league screwed up with Mike Green. He’s on a warpath. Already an advanced & nuanced rusher. He’s so compact coming off the edge. Like a cobra — why he finishes plays so well.

He can transform the pass rush & the team’s fortunes on defense. It’s all there. #Ravens

— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) August 8, 2025

The post KNEE-JERK REACTIONS: Ravens Run Over Colts, 24-16 appeared first on Russell Street Report.