One play, one statement

On the season's first snap, Lamar Jackson faked a handoff to Derrick Henry and hit Zay Flowers at the Colts' 30. Flowers took it to the 2.

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

Camp reps paid off instantly

Flowers got to the 2-yard line behind a Mark Andrews block the receivers had drilled over and over in training camp.

“Came out the gates on fire”

The talent was already there

Doyle inherited a two-time MVP in Jackson, a future Hall of Famer in Henry, and a two-time Pro Bowler in Flowers.

Formations as weapons

Six offensive linemen on first-and-10. Three tight ends on the field. Ronnie Stanley shifted right, then the run went left anyway.

Explosive plays, as promised

Doyle said when he arrived that he wanted an offense built on explosives. He faked a reverse screen to Henry and put Flowers in the backfield to hunt matchups.

“Shoutout to 'Dec,' 'cause he was dialin' it up”

Details players actually feel

Coaches all claim to coach details. Players say Doyle is on another level, down to blocking after the catch and hitting spots at exact times.

“After he made the catch, everybody's turning up the field and trying to find a block.”

Rewiring Lamar's mechanics

Doyle tweaked Jackson's stance and put him under center more often. Chris Moore, back after playing with him from 2018-20, saw a quarterback reading keys and working through progressions.

“You can see that he's just comfortable back there.”

He adjusted when it broke

Flowers and rookie Ja'Kobi Lane were ruled out in the second half. Doyle leaned on Henry, who scored three touchdowns, and worked in LaJohntay Wester and Moore.