The Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts met Sunday afternoon as the 2025 NFL season kicked off. Miami came out looking to get a fast start on the year and put last year’s disappointment behind them. None of that happened, however, as the team looked completely lost on the field, with no emotion or fight as Indianapolis ran all over them throughout the game.
The entire game was a disappointment from a Dolphins-fan perspective. Miami simply never showed up. There was nothing positive to try to find from this game – everyone underperformed, head coach Mike McDaniel was outcoached, and the team failed to look competitive at any time in the contest.
Even on their one touchdown drive, the team had 12 men in the huddle on 4th-and-Goal, then had to use a timeout on the two-point conversion try.
This was absolutely an embarrassing performance for Miami.
Final Score
Dolphins 8 – 33 Colts
First Quarter Recap and Reactions
Colts first possession
The Colts opened the game with the ball after winning the coin toss and electing to receive. They drive directly on the shoulders of quarterback Daniel Jones, named the starter over Anthony Richardson this summer, calling pass plays on seven of the eight plays on the drive. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren caught three passes during the possession, gaining 43 yards. On 3rd-and-8 from the Dolphins’ nine-yard line, Jones attempted to scramble for the first down, but linebacker Matthew Judon was able to level the quarterback and force Indianapolis to settle for a field goal.
Not exactly the start the defense was hoping to have. Miami’s struggles with covering tight ends feels like it has been going on for decades. At least they held for the field goal.
Colts 3-0
Dolphins first possession
Miami started with good field possession after a 37-yard kick return from wide receiver Dee Eskridge. Running back De’Von Achane added nine yards on his first carry of the season, getting the Dolphins into Colts territory. Two short passes from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle bookended a two-yard loss by Achane, and Miami faced a 3rd-and-8. Tagovailoa looked deep to Hill on an in-breaking route, but the ball sailed and safety Cam Bynum picked off the errant pass.
Starting right guard James Daniels left the field slowly after the loss by Achane. He was questionable for the game with an ankle injury, but this appeared to be something different. The replay howed his arm getting wrenched backwards as he fell during the play. The interception was just a bad throw from Tagovailoa.
Colts second possession
Indianapolis came out more balanced in their play calling in their second drive. Running back Jonathan Taylor touched the ball on eight of the first 13 plays of the drive, picking up 27 yards rushing and 22 yards receiving. A sack from Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb ended the first quarter.
Second Quarter Recap and Reactions
Colts second possession (continued)
After the break, Jones found wide receiver Michael Pittman for a 27-yard touchdown.
Where is the defense? Chubb getting the sack was great, but right now, Miami looks like they are sleepwalking on defense and the Colts – led by Daniel Jones – are carving them up.
Colts 10-0.
Dolphins second possession
Achane picked up seven yards to start the drive, but on the second play, Tagovailoa was sacked, losing the ball in the process, with former Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard coming up with the loose ball for the Colts.
And I said the defense was sleepwalking. That is two turnovers in three snaps for Miami. What is happening right now?
Colts third possession
The Colts start their third possession at the Miami 42-yard line following the turnover. The first two plays of the drive picked up 38 yards on two passes, with the touchdown coming three plays later on a Jones quarterback keeper.
This is just ridiculous right now. Miami is completely out of it at this point. They have no rhythm on offense, they cannot stop anything on defense. Something needs to change right now.
Colts 17-0.
Dolphins third possession
Miami continued to put themselves in difficult positions on the third drive, relying on longer passes to move the ball. Hill picked up 11 yards on a 2nd-and-10 play, tight end Tanner Conner added 14 yards on a 3rd-and-9 attempt, and wide receiver Malik Washington turned a screen pass into a nine-yard gain on 2nd-and-17. But, sacks on eight side of the Washington catch and run led to a Miami punt on 4th-and-14.
Tagovailoa got lucky on the first play of the possession. He tried to fit a ball into fullback Alec Ingold and basically threw it straight to a defender. It fell incomplete, but what is happening? The Dolphins just have not shown up in the first half. Trying to find something positive about what this team is doing right now is impossible. There is just nothing that says they are going to find the spark.
Colts fourth possession
Miami was able to hold the Colts and force a punt from the Indianapolis 31-yard line, shutting down the offense and finally looking like they were waking up. But Judon ran into punter Rigoberto Sanchez and gave Indianapolis a free first down. The Dolphins again forced a third-down, this time a 3rd-and-10 from the Colts’ 36-yard line, but a 14-yard pass to Pittman moved the ball out to midfield and kept Indy’s drive alive. After a one-yard run, a one-yard loss, and an eight-yard pass from Jones to Warren, the Colts went for it on 4th-and-1, converting with a six-yard pass as the clock moved to the two-minute warning. A 15-yard run on the play after the two-minute warning pushed Indianapolis into the redzone. Miami was able to stuff the run as the Colts looked to milk the clock, and Indianapolis was forced to settle for a field goal as the half ended.
Cornerback Storm Duck was injured on the second play of the drive, lying face down on the turf before walking slowly off the field and into the medical tent. The Colts are just doing whatever they want to Miami right now. The Dolphins have absolutely zero answers for anything Indianapolis is doing on offense or defense. This is just ugly.
Colts 20-0.
Halftime Thoughts
Halftime ScoreDolphins 0 – 20 Colts
There really is not much to say about whatever that was Miami did in the first half. Remember back in 2023 when it felt like this team could score from anywhere on the field on any play? Last year, that fell apart, but this year was supposed to fix it. Head coach Mike McDaniel would make adjustments, the team was healthy, the offensive line was better, and then they came out and laid this egg. Just completely outplayed and outcoached for the entire first half.
Miami has three first half first downs. Three. Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane – three first downs.
Miami has run 15 plays. The Colts have 20 points, Daniel Jones has 17 completions, and the Colts have rushed 20 times. Miami has 15 total plays.
This has been impossible to watch, enjoy, or feel like there is any chance of the team figuring out whatever funk they are in.
Third Quarter Recap and Reactions
Dolphins fourth possession
Miami opened with the ball in the second half, facing a 20-point deficit. Miami turned to the short passing game to try to find their spark, moving the ball on passes to Achane, fullback Alec Ingold, and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Achane and rookie running back Ollie Gordon II found some success on the ground, but the drive ended with an interception as Tagovailoa looked toward Malik Washington, but never saw defensive lineman Laiatu Latu dropping into coverage.
Perfect. Just absolutely how this day has gone. Waddle was injured on his reception, pointing to his left shoulder as he left the field.
Colts fifth possession
Indianapolis went for the heart on the first play after the turnover, with Jones finding wide receiver Alec Pierce for a 36-yard gain. Some short passes and run from Taylor worked the Colts to the Miami four-yard line before a holding penalty pushed them back to the Miami 14. Eventually they settled for a 28-yard field goal and a 23-point lead.
At this point, a field goal seems like a major win for Miami. They cannot do anything and they cannot stop anything.
Colts 23-0.
Dolphins fifth possession
Miami’s offense found some success mid-way through the third quarter, including a 21-yard pass to Hill to start the drive and a 15-yard run from Achane two plays later. Reaching the Colts’ 35-yard line, it appeared Miami might be able to finally figure out something, but a four-yard pass to Hill, with the receiver heading into the medical tent after being tackled on the sideline, was followed by three straight incomplete passes and Miami turned the ball over on downs.
Even when something positive happens, something negative answers for the Dolphins right now. Waddle returned to the field, but Hill had to head into the medical tent. The team actually moves the ball, but then stall out. This is just unacceptable football right now.
Colts sixth possession
The possession started with a 15-yard pass, then the Colts went into ball control mode. The next four plays featured a six-yard run, a two-yard run, an incomplete pass on a short attempt, and a six-yard run. After the teams traded holding penalties, an 11-yard run and a six-yard run ended the quarter.
Fourth Quarter Recap and Reactions
Colts sixth possession (continued)
On 2nd-and-4 after the break, the Colts picked up 12 yards on a DJ Giddens run to move down the the Miami 26 yard line. The next seven plays were all runs, picking up the final 26 yards and extending the lead to 30 points.
The Dolphins just have no fight in them. The defense is getting kicked in the teeth every single play and they do not have any way to stop it. Where is the tough, physical play they have said they are going to have this year? Where is the pass rush? Where is the run stuff? Where is the defense? Just miserable.
Dolphins sixth possession
Someone finally reminded the Dolphins that they are supposed to be playing in this game. They started the drive with a Malik Washington run for nine yards, then a 16-yard pass to Waddle to move into Colts territory. A seven-yard scramble from Tagovailoa was followed by an incomplete pass deep to Hill – one that probably should have been challenged because the receiver seemed to drag his feet in bounds. Achane made up for the miss, however, with a 26-yard run on the next play. After Gordon picked up one yard on 1st-and-Goal from the seven, two incomplete passes set up Miami with a 4th-and-Goal – only to have the team called for 12-men in the huddle and push them out to the 11-yard line. Achane took a screen pass 11 yards for the score.
That probably does not count as a spark, but at least it will not be a shutout. The Dolphins announced during the drive that defensive tackle Benito Jones has an oblique injury and is questionable to return.
Colts 30-8.
Colts seventh possession
Miami attempted an onside kick, and they nearly got the bounce they needed, but the ball bounced off a Dolphins player, and the Colts recovered. Indianapolis, starting at their own 49-yard line, ran the ball straight at Miami, burning clock as they methodically moved down the field. In seven plays, the Colts moved 21 yards, burned 3:58 off the clock, and converted on a field goal.
Nothing surprising here. The Colts have been punching Miami in the mouth all game. Why not keep it going now?
Colts 33-8.
Dolphins seventh possession
Miami pulled Tagovailoa for their seventh drive, replacing him with Zach Wilson. Nine straight pass plays were called on the final possession, with Wilson scrambling once for three yards and completing five passes for 26 yards.
Unacceptable and ugly performance for the entire game.
