# Lamar's new offense starts Sunday > A new play caller, a new formation diet, and a Colts defense that has never handled Lamar Jackson's legs. - Title: Lamar's new offense starts Sunday · Baltimore Ravens On SI - Summary: A new play caller, a new formation diet, and a Colts defense that has never handled Lamar Jackson's legs. Jackson under center against a defense ranked 31st… - Keywords: nfl, ravens, lamar jackson, colts, football, sports, Lamar's, offense, starts, Sunday, Baltimore Ravens On SI - Source: Baltimore Ravens On SI — https://si.com/nfl/ravens/onsi/what-to-expect-from-ravens-qb-lamar-jackson-with-his-arm-and-legs-against-the-colts-01m29jtmbnrk - Published: 2026-09-12T16:00:01+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: nfl, ravens, lamar jackson, colts, football, sports ## The wait is over Months of hype about Lamar Jackson in a brand-new offense finally meet a real defense on Sunday against the Colts. ## A rookie play caller Declan Doyle, 30, calls plays for the first time in his career. He will do it from the press box, and where he stands became actual news. ## Jackson is talking big He spent the offseason praising the chances for explosive plays and backing Doyle's ability to scheme receivers open into favorable matchups. > New season, it feels like a new breath of fresh air. ## Take the praise lightly Jackson is always publicly behind his coaches and teammates. His optimism tells you about his character, not about the offense. ## His future is unsettled Jackson has committed to nothing past 2026. His contract lets him pick his spot as a free agent after this season unless Baltimore changes his mind. ## He is his own agent Jackson represents himself, and he has little appetite for negotiating while playing. That may have already closed the window on an extension. ## Doyle wants the mystery He is happy to let defensive coordinators guess. But his coaching lineage and the preseason tape already gave away formation and scheme changes. ## Under center most snaps Expect Jackson under center on 60 to 70 percent of snaps, a huge shift for a quarterback who has lived in shotgun and pistol since becoming a starter. ## Follow the coaching tree Doyle's mentor Sean Payton leans under center. So did the Bears last year under Ben Johnson, where Doyle coached and Caleb Williams took snaps there constantly. ## He is already good there Jackson led the NFL in Expected Points Added from under center last season, and Todd Monken had begun shifting that direction before the change. ## It helps Derrick Henry Henry is entering his age 32 season, where most backs fade. Under center suits him, and Ravens backups thrived on boots, misdirection and play action in preseason. ## He owns this coordinator Jackson is 9-1 against defenses run by Lou Anarumo, now in Indianapolis, averaging roughly 10 carries for 66 yards in those meetings. ## They cannot stop QB runs Anarumo's Colts defense had a 31.6 percent success rate against quarterback runs last season, 31st in the league. Jackson has run nine-plus times in six of the last seven meetings. ## A linebacker problem Indianapolis is cycling through linebackers with nobody locked in. Anarumo handled Henry well in their last two meetings, but containing Jackson is a different job. ## Slot and tight end feast Against Anarumo, Jackson has hit tight ends on 72 percent of throws with 9 touchdowns and no picks. To the slot: 73-for-107, nine scores, a 116.5 rating. ## The prediction Around 350 to 375 total yards for Jackson, plenty on the ground, one interception behind a shaky interior line, and a shootout he probably decides. > Jackson is likely the difference in this game. ## Key takeaway Jackson under center against a defense ranked 31st against QB runs is the matchup to watch, and he is the likely difference in the game.