INDIANAPOLIS — The Baltimore Ravens exploded for 31 first-half points en route to a 41-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in coach Jesse Minter’s debut.The Ravens scored touchdowns on four of their first five possessions, as 30-year-old offensive coordinator Declan Doyle torched the Colts’ defense in his first game as a play caller. Wide receiver Zay Flowers led the way for Baltimore (five receptions for a career-high 150 yards and a touchdown) before exiting with a hamstring injury before halftime.Baltimore’s receiving group took another hit when third-round rookie Ja’Kobi Lane was ruled out with a wrist injury, but the Colts had no answer for the Ravens’ rushing attack. Derrick Henry rumbled for 144 yards and three scores — passing Marcus Allen for third in NFL history with 125 career rushing touchdowns.Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones got off to a near-perfect start in his return from a torn Achilles, marching the Colts down the field for an opening-drive touchdown. It was largely a struggle from there: Jones finished 19-for-31 passing for 166 yards, one touchdown and one interception.Box score | Week 1 live blog | Game discussionTop Plays from Ravens @ ColtsWhat did we learn about Jesse Minter in his first game as a head coach?A telling sequence came in the second quarter when the Ravens, already leading 14-6, faced a fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line. Minter decided to go for it. The Ravens didn’t convert, but that was a show of faith in the offense and probably a testament to the attacking, aggressive style Minter wants to be known for. Minter has plenty to fix. The Ravens had a big turnover that got the Colts back in the game in the second quarter, and Baltimore was prone to penalties, particularly on offense. The Ravens’ defense also didn’t close the game as forcefully as Minter probably would have liked. However, I think you saw the type of aggressive, dangerous team Minter wants them to be. — Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens beat writerWhat stood out most about Declan Doyle’s offense in his debut?Doyle was certainly aggressive and had some interesting wrinkles. On Flowers’ 54-yard touchdown catch, the wide receiver started the play lined up in the backfield. On the Ravens’ first touchdown, a five-yard Lamar Jackson run, Doyle had a left tackle lined up on the right side, with pass-catching tight end Mark Andrews in a blocking position. Doyle utilized “11” personnel more frequently than his predecessor. Jackson was also lined up under center far more often. The general theme, though, is Doyle hunting explosive plays and Jackson looking plenty comfortable in running the show. — ZrebiecWhat is the biggest concern for the Colts’ defense after giving up 41 points?Honestly, everything, after Indy gave up 506 yards of total offense.Indy’s secondary was supposed to be the strength of its defense, so the fact that Jackson didn’t log his first incompletion until there were 38 seconds left in the first quarter was a red flag. Fittingly, after that first incompletion forced the Ravens into a third-and-12 from the Colts’ 47-yard line, Jackson found Flowers for an 18-yard first-down catch to keep the Ravens’ drive alive. Colts cornerback Justin Walley was matched often with Flowers early on, and Flowers gave Walley, who missed his entire rookie season because of a torn ACL, plenty of welcome-to-the-league moments during his NFL debut Sunday.
Ravens explode for 41 points in Minter’s debut, but how serious are injuries to Flowers and Lane?
Jackson passed for over 300 yards and Derrick Henry rushed for three touchdowns as Baltimore routed Indianapolis in the season opener.











