Colts winners in Saturday’s debut, Ryan’s return

LAS VEGAS — Jeff Saturday is 1-0.

The newly appointed interim coach of the Indianapolis Colts presided over a 25-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in his first game in his new role.

The Colts entered Sunday on a three-game losing streak and on the heels of the firing of fifth-year coach Frank Reich after last week’s loss to the New England Patriots.

Saturday’s hiring stunned the NFL, as he was not currently employed in the league. The six-time Pro Bowl selection who is enshrined in the Colts’ ring of honor had been working as an ESPN NFL analyst right up until owner Jim Irsay tapped him to take the job.

“I told the guys just all three phases was an incredible team effort,” Saturday said after the game. “These guys have been through it. I told the staff, the coaches, the players, [about] the fortitude that they presented and the way they played today. They laid it all out there today. And I just could not be more appreciative of those guys and the way they played.

“Everybody from offense, defense and, obviously, on special teams, these guys, they rallied and it’s a special moment for all of those guys. And I tipped my hat to all of them. It’s just an honor to be a part of it.”

Saturday got a lift from the surprise return of quarterback Matt Ryan — the team previously said he would be benched for the remainder of the season — and a rejuvenated Jonathan Taylor. The All-Pro running back returned from an ankle injury to rush for 147 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown. Ryan completed 21 of 28 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for a score in his first game in three weeks.

Saturday said his observations in practice during the week convinced him that starting Ryan over Sam Ehlinger was the right move.

“I wanted to talk to the staff on Friday afternoon, but I knew what I was going to do,” he said of making the change. “I knew everybody was with it and I felt like Matt gave us the best chance to win. And I had the conversation with Sam who was a true pro and I have so much respect for that young man and the way that he’s conducting himself and the type of teammate he is.”

The Colts had to revamp their coaching staff on the fly this past week, with Saturday mostly yielding the detail work to the offensive assistants, including first-time playcaller Parks Frazier.