Ravens’ offense explodes for 41 points in Declan Doyle’s first game in charge

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INDIANAPOLIS — With one play, Declan Doyle announced his arrival into the elite club of NFL play-callers.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson took his first snap of the season, faked a handoff to running back Derrick Henry and launched the ball to wide receiver Zay Flowers at the Indianapolis Colts’ 30-yard line.

Flowers, aided by a block from tight end Mark Andrews that the receivers repped tirelessly through training camp, took the ball to the 2-yard line.

“Came out the gates on fire,” said Jesse Minter, Doyle’s new head coach.

Sure, Doyle’s job was made easier with two-time MVP Jackson, future Hall of Famer Henry and two-time Pro Bowler Flowers to work with.

But his creativity shone through the player-generated magic. He used six offensive linemen on a first-and-10 play. He threw three tight ends out on the field regularly.

He shifted left tackle Ronnie Stanley to the right and then ran it to the left anyway. He had Jackson fake a reverse screen to Henry, and he lined up Flowers in the backfield to get him a favorable matchup downfield.

“I had a blast,” Andrews said.

When Doyle arrived, he said he wanted the offense to focus on explosive plays. He delivered.

“Shoutout to ‘Dec,’ ’cause he was dialin’ it up,” Jackson said.

Doyle’s influence showed in the small moments as well. He harped on details, a topic many coaches claim to focus on, but players say Doyle’s on another level.

There were penalties to clean up, from veterans and rookies alike, but there was a commitment to blocking and hitting points on the field at precise times.

“You saw it on all of Zay’s catches,” running back Justice Hill said. “After he made the catch, everybody’s turning up the field and trying to find a block. If you couldn’t find a block, you’re running up the sideline. ... It’s a great mindset for everybody to have.”

Doyle also tweaked the details of Jackson’s game, from his stance to having him line up under center more, in an effort to take him to the next level within this new offense. Jackson was eager to learn, and the changes held up to the first test.

Wide receiver Chris Moore, who played with Jackson from 2018-20, was impressed upon his return to the Ravens with his quarterback’s poise.

“You can see that he’s just comfortable back there,” Moore said. “He’s reading his keys. He’s going through his progressions and finding open guys.”

Doyle’s biggest challenge came in the second half, when two of his top receivers, Flowers and rookie Ja’Kobi Lane, were ruled out with injuries.

Doyle adjusted seamlessly. While he leaned on reliable stars like Henry, who scored three touchdowns, he also worked depth players such as wide receivers LaJohntay Wester and Moore into the mix.

Nothing about the performance surprised players, who had talked him up all offseason, calling him a wizard and a genius.

“It just proved everything we were seeing in camp,” Hill said. “We knew we had an explosive offense, and we had a good team overall. ... It was exactly as I expected. He called it how he calls practices, how he calls situations in practices. So, for everyone on the field, it was familiarity.”

Whether it was intended or not, Hill hit on one of the major points sources mentioned when the offense faltered last year. Then-offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who also started last season with a dominant game, began straying from what they practiced.

Moore was not here with Monken but has played for nine coordinators, he said. Doyle stands out in his mastery of every aspect of the game.

The players stirred the Doyle hype in the offseason, and they had a great time helping him demonstrate his play-calling chops in his first game.

“I was telling a lot of guys, even as we were going into victory formation, I was like that’s the most points I’ve scored in a long time,” guard John Simpson said with a grin.