Colts defensive leaders cite alignment and communication after 41-23 Week 1 loss to Ravens
After a 41-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Colts’ 2026 season opener, Indianapolis defenders said they are focused on correcting alignment and communication errors rather than searching for positives; the unit surrendered 506 yards of total offense.
The Colts opened the 2026 season with a 41-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. In the locker room, safety Cam Bynum — wearing the communicator “green dot” for the first time — declined to dwell on positives and said he wanted to focus on mistakes. “I don't even want to look at anything that we did well,” he said, adding that communication must be on point.
Multiple defenders highlighted slow or late alignments as a key problem. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said the team was “being late to our alignments,” and the defense surrendered 506 total yards. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson threw for 324 yards and a touchdown, and Derrick Henry rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns; Baltimore was 3-for-9 on third down and 0-for-1 on fourth down in the game.
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