# Jesse Minter's Ravens debut looked like the plan > Eight months of planning turned into 506 yards, a smothered Colts offense, and a 41-23 opener that felt like a statement. - Title: Jesse Minter's Ravens debut looked like the plan · The Banner - Summary: Eight months of planning turned into 506 yards, a smothered Colts offense, and a 41-23 opener that felt like a statement. A new coach's first game is a test… - Keywords: nfl, ravens, jesse minter, lamar jackson, coaching, news, local, Jesse, Minter's, debut, looked, like - Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/sports/ravens-nfl/ravens-jesse-minter-colts-lamar-jackson-declan-doyle-IITZEWZSYNFHVN63CFSADQIEFM - Author: Jonas Shaffer - Published: 2026-09-14T00:27:32.216+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: nfl, ravens, jesse minter, lamar jackson, coaching, news, local ## Eight months, one afternoon Minter was hired in late January. Sunday in Indianapolis was the first time anyone could see whether the plan worked. > The opener obviously sort of feels like that first real opportunity to be the type of team we want to be. ## A hug in victory formation With 95 seconds left and a 41-23 win locked up, Minter's father Rick, a longtime college coach now on the Ravens staff, put an arm around his son. Minter called it surreal. ## Exactly what was promised Ravens officials hired Minter expecting explosive offense, sturdy defense, reliable special teams. For 60 minutes, that is what showed up. ## The offense went off Lamar Jackson threw for 324 and ran for 40. Derrick Henry rushed for 144 and three scores. Zay Flowers set a career high with 150 receiving yards. ## 506 yards, 7.9 a play New coordinator Declan Doyle's first game produced 506 total yards and matched the 41 points the Ravens scored against Green Bay last December, their 2025 high. ## The best offense, erased Indianapolis had the NFL's top offense through two months last season. Sunday they managed 251 yards, their fewest in 14 Daniel Jones starts, and went 3-for-10 on third down. ## A rough first drive The Colts opened with a 65-yard, nine-play touchdown march. Presnap communication looked shaky and the pass defense had holes. ## Then the punches landed Over the next five Colts possessions: two turnovers, one first down. Indianapolis did not cross midfield again until late in the second quarter, down 28-6. > They're going to throw punches, and we've got to take their punch and have a strong chin. ## Teaching points, visible Jackson played on time, then scrambled on broken plays. Receivers turned into downfield blockers, worth 171 yards after the catch. Linemen fired off in Doyle's outside-zone run game. Jones had one completion of 15-plus air yards. ## The old ghosts stayed quiet A 31-16 fourth-quarter lead felt thin with Flowers out and the run defense leaking. John Harbaugh lost his job partly over late-game collapses like the one brewing. ## Good enough, on purpose Henry pushed it to 38-16, then the Ravens burned six minutes on a 10-play field goal drive and held the ball for the final 3:22. Not their best, but enough. > Last year's flushed. We're focused, one game at a time. ## Now find a rhythm Minter told the team the celebration has a shelf life. A normal week starts now, and the standard is playing to their identity every week and living with the result. > He's always preached, 'Be the best when your best is needed.' ## Key takeaway A new coach's first game is a test of whether the team plays his way, and the Ravens did: explosive offense, opportunistic defense, and a lead they refused to give back.