MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins open their season Sunday at 1 p.m. at Indianapolis, and considering coach Mike McDaniel is 3-0 in season openers, having defeated New England, the Los Angeles Chargers (on the road) and Jacksonville, you figure things should go well.
But the Dolphins have struggled since losing to Tennessee, 28-27, late in the 2023 season. They’ve gone 10-11 (.476) in the regular season since that game with a 3-7 (.300) road record, so anything is possible when the Dolphins face the Colts.
By the way, the Dolphins are 8-7 (.533) in regular-season games quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has started since that Tennessee loss, including a 1-4 (.200) road record.
Here are five things to watch for in Sunday’s game:
Offense being in sync
The Tagovailoa-to-wide receiver Tyreek Hill combination will get its first work against an opponent in almost nine months and it wasn’t sharp in its past two outings against Houston and San Francisco last season, so there’s reason to wonder how effective it’ll be against the Colts.
Beyond that, tight end Darren Waller, who came out of retirement, hasn’t had any competitive football in more than a year, and right tackle Austin Jackson (toe) and running back De’Von Achane (calf) haven’t had contact for weeks.
Still, the Tagovailoa-to-wide receiver Jaylen Waddle combination is stronger than ever, the Dolphins enforced their offensive line with guards Jonah Savaiinaea and James Daniels, drafted a big running back in Ollie Gordon II, and hired senior pass game coordinator Bobby Slowik, all of which should help. And the Colts were 29th in defense last season including 26th against the pass with 36 sacks, which ranked 26th in the league, one spot and one sack ahead of the Dolphins.
Kicker Riley Patterson
Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders (hip) is sidelined and that’s unfortunate considering he’s made 27 consecutive field goals, the longest active streak in the NFL, and is one of the team’s best performers. Patterson, signed on Aug. 27, is a journeyman having been on seven previous teams since debuting in 2021 as an undrafted free agent from Memphis.
Related Articles
Dolphins’ Tua says relationship with Tyreek Hill fixed, no longer a subject of conversation
Injuries revealed for Dolphins’ Darren Waller, Jaylen Wright, Ashtyn Davis
Dolphins Deep Dive: Tua-Tyreek connection ready for Colts? Will Miami win? | VIDEO
Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill progressing well with oblique; Darren Waller doesn’t practice Wednesday
Chris Perkins: Here’s where Dolphins GM Chris Grier ranks among NFL peers
Patterson is 63 of 74 (85.1 percent) on field goals in his career. He’s 4 of 9 (44.4 percent) from 50 yards or more, and 16 of 20 (80 percent) between 40 and 49 yards.
Turnover margin
The Dolphins were minus-5 in turnover margin last season, tied for 20th, while the Colts were minus-4., which was 19th. The Dolphins are minus-10 in turnover margin in the three-year McDaniel era.
Turnovers were a factor in Indianapolis’ 16-10 win over the Dolphins last season as the Colts had a 2-1 advantage and took advantage of third-quarter fumbles by running back Raheem Mostert and fullback Alec Ingold. The Colts turned Mostert’s fumble into a touchdown and recovered Ingold’s fumble at their own 14 yard line.
Dolphins DBs vs. Colts WRs, TE
The Dolphins’ secondary of outside cornerbacks Storm Duck and, most likely, Jack Jones, nickel/slot cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. and safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and, most likely, Iffy Melinfonwu, hasn’t played together.
The Colts have wide receivers Michael Pittman and Josh Downs and tight end Tyler Warren as well as quarterback Danny Jones, but their credentials are also unproven.
The Dolphins will need pass rush help from their font seven and coverage help from their linebackers to keep control.
Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel vs. Colts’ Shane Steichen
Steichen won their only meeting last season but Tagovailoa didn’t play due to a concussion. The key for McDaniel’s offense will be getting the run game going, and the key defensively will be stopping the Colts’ run game, led by running back Jonathan Taylor and left guard Quenton Nelson, who seems to be a future Hall of Famer with his seven Pro Bowl berths and three first-team All Pro honors.
It should be noted McDaniel is 13-16 (.448) on the road in three years. But he’s 7-4 (.636) overall in September, and 3-2 (.600) in September road games.
Dolphins Deep Dive: Prediction time — Will Miami start season with a win over Colts? | VIDEO
