The NFL season is here, with the first games of the regular season coming this weekend. Included in this weekend’s slate of games is a Miami Dolphins visit to the Indianapolis Colts. Both teams have questions that need to be answered quickly this season, and they will be looking to a Week 1 performance to start providing those answers.
For the Colts, quarterback Daniel Jones was named the starter, moving into the top spot after signing as a free agent in the offseason and supplanting Anthony Richardson atop the depth chart. Richardson was the fourth overall pick in 2023, but now the Colts may be ready to move on from the University of Florida alumnus. Jones, selected sixth overall in 2019 by the New York Giants, heads to his third team after being released by the Giants during the 2024 season and signing with the Minnesota Vikings late in the season.
The Colts do enter the season with Lou Anarumo as their defensive coordinator, looking to redesign the Indianapolis defense. Amarumo spent the last six seasons as the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator after a year are the Giants’ defensive back coach. He also spent six seasons with the Dolphins as their defensive backs coach, along with a stint in 2015 as the team’s interim defensive coordinator.
Miami’s questions, similar to the Colts, start at their quarterback position – but not because they are trying to figure out who their starter will be, but rather if Tua Tagovailoa will be able to stay healthy this year. The Dolphins’ 2020 fifth-overall draft choice has only played a full seasons once in his career, starting all 17 games in 2023 and earning a Pro Bowl selection as he led the league with 4,624 passing yards. If Tagovailoa stays on the field, the Dolphins can dominate. If he is injured, the season could take a turn quickly.
On defense, Miami has to figure out if their secondary, and specifically their cornerbacks, can take giant leap forward this year. Miami recently signed veteran Rasul Douglas, but will he be ready for a full workload in a defensive system he has only been in for 11 days come Sunday? The team added Jack Jones Behind them, the team is relying on several young players, including 2024 undrafted free agent Storm Duck and 2025 fifth-round pick Jason Marshall, Jr. Will it be enough?
How do the oddsmakers see this weekend’s game playing out? According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the game should be fairly close. The odds as of Monday afternoon have the Colts favored by 1.5 points. The point total is 46.5 with the Dolphins -102 on the moneyline for the straight up win, while the Colts are -116.
The odds are subject to change throughout the week, especially as injury reports are released later this week.
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