The spotlight always seems to find Lamar Jackson. Every touchdown sparks another MVP conversation. Every incompletion becomes evidence for critics searching for flaws. That's life when you're theBaltimore Ravens' starting quarterback and one of the NFL's biggest stars.
The man affectionately known as 'Action Jackson' gave everyone plenty to discuss. Baltimore's 41-23 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, at times, felt like an avalanche covering the home team.
The stat line was impressive. Jackson completed 17 of 25 passes for 324 yards, threw a touchdown, and added 40 rushing yards and another score on the ground. He finished with a 124.2 passer rating and helped guide an offense that generated more than 500 total yards despite committing
ten penalties for 86 yards. Most importantly, he looked completely comfortable in his first meaningful game running offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's new system.
Was it perfect? No. Few quarterback performances are. There were a handful of missed opportunities, and some throws Jackson would likely want back. Still, when the dust settled, it was difficult to find much to criticize. More often than not, he looked like the same dynamic playmaker Ravens fans have watched for years, only now operating within a fresh offensive structure that appears designed to maximize his strengths.
Lamar Jackson's best throws
Jackson was his usual impressive self throughout the afternoon. The touch was there. The velocity was there. The confidence was there. Two throws stood above the rest.
The first came on Baltimore's opening possession of the season (and on Jackson's first throw of the season). Working play action, Jackson rolled left and delivered a strike to Zay Flowers in stride. Flowers handled the rest, turning the completion into a significant gain that helped set up a first-and-goal opportunity.
49-YARD CATCH AND RUN BY @ZayFlowers!!!
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 13, 2026
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The play served as an immediate reminder that there would be no rust to shake off. The second highlight arrived early in the fourth quarter when Jackson connected with Chris Moore on a beautiful deep ball down the sideline. The throw traveled perfectly over the coverage and landed exactly where it needed to be.
LAMAR JACKSON WITH BIG PLAY TO WR CHRIS MOORE!!! 🎯
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 13, 2026
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The completion to Moore pushed Jackson past 300 passing yards for just the tenth time in his career, but the best play of the day may not have involved a pass at all. Facing third-and-16 with just under six minutes remaining in the first quarter, Jackson escaped what appeared to be a certain sack before darting through the defense for a first down. It was vintage Lamar. A play that should have ended in disaster instead became a drive-extending gain.
Moments like that continue to separate him from almost every other quarterback in football.
Lamar Jackson's worst throws
The list is considerably shorter. Jackson missed on a few opportunities throughout the afternoon, including a handful of throws that sailed slightly off target. Every starting quarterback was guilty of such in Week 1. That said, there's no reason to dwell on this topic for very long.
None of the misses proved costly. He avoided turnovers, protected the football, and consistently put the offense in favorable situations. For a quarterback making his first regular-season start in a new offense, that's exactly what coaches want to see.
Lamar Jackson's Week 1 final report card
What stood out most wasn't the production. It was the command. Jackson wasn't simply creating highlight plays and carrying the offense by himself. He looked like a quarterback fully in control of the operation. He spread the football around to nine different receivers, took advantage of favorable matchups, and punished Indianapolis whenever defenders lost contain.
Just watch him avoid the sack here. Let's all appreciate the beauty. This one also deserves an All-22 angle.
LAMAR MAGIC 🪄
— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2026
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Declan Doyle has the Ravens in the right look, schematically. This OLine is not fit to Pass Pro, in the Gun, 25-30 times a game. Witness how Lamar Jackson makes up for it, again, on this 3rd and 16 vs the Colts.#Ravens #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/OY07oHV6aA
— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) September 14, 2026
The Ravens entered the season believing they could field one of the NFL's most explosive offenses. Week 1 did nothing to challenge that belief. There will be tougher defenses ahead. Better opponents will present different challenges, but if Ravens fans were hoping for early evidence that Jackson and Doyle could form a dangerous partnership, Sunday's opener provided plenty of it.
The Ravens are 1-0, and their franchise quarterback looked every bit like an MVP candidate. He deserves straight A's for this one. Next week will present another challenge. Baltimore may be without Ja'Kobi Lane for a while. In addition, Zay Flowers has a hamstring issue, though it is believed there's little to worry about. Next up is Baltimore's home opener, a game against the New Orleans Saints. WRs Devontez Walker (groin) and Elijah Sarratt were inactive for this one. Time will tell if they'll be among the active for Week 2.
- Accuracy and ball location: A-
- Vision and dissection: A+
- Intangibles and off-script plays: A+
- Decision-making: A+
- Leadership: A+
- Overall grade: A+
Baltimore couldn't have asked for much more from its franchise quarterback. Jackson looked healthy, decisive, explosive, and completely comfortable in his first game under Doyle. If this performance is any indication of what's ahead, the Ravens' offense may just be scratching the surface of its potential.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Lamar Jackson Week 1 grades: A good debut for a new Ravens scheme
