INDIANAPOLIS — If the Miami Dolphins’ brass was already on the hot seat entering the 2025 season, that was merely the preheat.

After just the first half of their season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, the seats for coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier are in full-fledged cooking mode.

The Dolphins had three turnovers, couldn’t otherwise move the ball down the field offensively and couldn’t stop Colts quarterback Daniel Jones defensively in an overall disastrous 33-8 defeat at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Dolphins (0-1) had their streak of four consecutive Week 1 wins snapped. Meanwhile, the Colts (1-0), who were honoring late owner Jim Irsay, earned a win in an opener for the first time in their last 12 tries.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw two interceptions, fumbled away another possession and finished 14 of 23 for 114 yards and a late touchdown with the game out of reach. Backup quarterback Zach Wilson finished Sunday’s game off for Miami.

Jones, maligned for his failed tenure with the New York Giants, was magnificent in his Indianapolis debut. He was 22 of 29 for 272 yards, a passing touchdown and two rushing scores.

The Dolphins’ wide receiver combo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle had four catches each. Hill went for 40 yards and Waddle 30.

Indianapolis outgained Miami, 418-211, Sunday.

The Colts, with a 20-0 halftime lead, were outgaining the Dolphins in total yards, 255-43, at that point. They had 17 first downs to three for the Dolphins.

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Indianapolis built its early lead by picking on the Dolphins’ unproven secondary and forcing Tagovailoa into turnovers.

Starting with an early 3-0 lead, the Colts intercepted Tagovailoa on Miami’s first drive of the new season. A third-down pass from Tagovailoa sailed high to wide receiver Tyreek Hill, and safety Camryn Bynum was over the top to snatch the interception.

Jones then led a 14-play, 84-yard drive that resulted in a 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Pittman was wide open down the right side. Storm Duck, who was injured later in the half, appeared to be sitting in a shallow zone on his side expecting safety Ifeatu Melifonwu to help over the top.

Two plays from scrimmage later, Tagovailoa was the victim of a strip-sack from blitzing Colts nickel cornerback Kenny Moore. The Indianapolis defender there to recover the fumble: longtime Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard, who was making his Colts debut after missing the 2024 season.

It then took Jones five plays to march down 42 yards for another score, a 1-yard quarterback sneak that put the Colts in front, 17-0.

On the ensuing offensive series, Tagovailoa took multiple hits as Miami, with right guard James Daniels exiting early, struggled to pick up blitzes from defensive backs in Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme. The Colts ate up the final 6:46 of the first half to go into the locker room up, 20-20, off a 35-yard field goal from Spencer Shrader.

The second half didn’t start much better for Miami. Tagovailoa was intercepted targeting wide receiver Malik Washington, with edge rusher Laiatu Latu undercutting the route as he was dropped back in coverage. The Dolphins later drove into Colts territory in the third quarter, but turned the ball over on downs.

Jones scored his second rushing touchdown from a yard away early in the fourth quarter, putting Indianapolis up, 30-0. The Dolphins later got on the board with Tagovailoa swinging out a fourth-down pass to running back De’Von Achane, who made a strong effort to break a tackle for an 11-yard touchdown that had a 2-point conversion to tight end Julian Hill tacked on.

Colts rookie tight end Tyler Warren carved up the Dolphins defense for three catches and 43 yards on the opening series, which resulted in one of four field goals for Shrader.

Miami edge rusher Bradley Chubb picked up a sack in the first half Sunday. It came in his first game since Dec. 31, 2023 after missing the entire 2024 season rehabbing from his knee injury.

The Dolphins now prepare for their home opener against the New England Patriots next Sunday.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/07/dolphins-embarrassed-in-blowout-week-1-loss-to-colts/