Dolphins (0-0) at Colts (0-0), Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Latest line: Colts are favored by 1 1/2 points
Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Last season’s record: 9-8): Dolphins 24, Colts 20
A domed game on a fast track against a mediocre team is just what the Dolphins need to get off to a good start. Indianapolis is better than you’d think with a similar eight wins last year despite awful quarterback play. Daniel Jones will improve that some. But the Dolphins’ speed on offense will benefit from the fast field and this Dolphins defense can hold up against Jones and this offense. This season gets the good start it desperately needs.
Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist (Last season’s record: 11-6): Dolphins 17, Colts 13
The Dolphins’ offense will struggle because it hasn’t had much time together, especially the passing combination of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to wide receiver Tyreek Hill. But the Dolphins’ defense, led by the front seven, will do the heavy lifting as coach Mike McDaniel runs his record to 4-0 in season openers and 2-0 in road openers.
David Furones, Dolphins Writer (Last season’s record: 12-5): Dolphins 24, Colts 20
First and foremost, Miami must stop the run with running back Jonathan Taylor and a strong left side of the Indianapolis offensive line. I trust the front seven to be formidable there. Then, I worry about the Dolphins’ unproven cornerbacks covering a talented receiving trio of Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce and Josh Downs, but quarterback Daniel Jones does not scare me at all and the pass rush should affect him. The whole offense hasn’t had as much time together as one would hope in camp, but I believe Mimai does enough on that side to win a competitive Week 1 game that could carry wild-card playoff implications down the road.
Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (Last season’s record: 10-7): Dolphins 27, Colts 24
No one wants to start the season on the road, but a dome in Indianapolis is not a bad spot for the speedy Dolphins. Regardless, the Dolphins are so eager to prove they are better than last year, they will come hard out of the gate. The Colts’ offense will not be able to keep pace, and Indy’s defense will tire enough for the Dolphins to get another field goal in.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (Last season’s record: 13-4): Dolphins 23, Colts 20
Veteran quarterback Daniel Jones gets another chance to prove himself after winning Indianapolis’ starting job. After being demoted by the New York Giants last season, he beat out former Florida Gators star quarterback Anthony Richardson after signing with the Colts as a free agent. Jones will have his hands full against the Dolphins’ pass rush. The Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa should bounce back from a losing season. The Colts have lost 10 of their last 11 season openers.
Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (Last season’s record: 13-4): Dolphins 20, Colts 17
With the Dolphins so compromised in their defensive backfield and the effectiveness of their pass rush yet to be fully known with post-surgical versions of Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, it is like pennies from heaven that Daniel Jones — arguably the most compromised quarterback they will face all year — is taking snaps for the Colts in the opener. Jones, who no longer is the run threat he once was, has a 78.7 passer rating since being injured in a game against the Dolphins in 2023.
