Here’s a look at how the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts match up in six key areas ahead of Sunday’s Week 1 game at Lucas Oil Stadium (1 p.m., CBS):

When the Dolphins run: Running back De’Von Achane goes into his third season after taking on a big workload for his size in 2024. He’s also nursing an ailing calf as he goes into the opener. With veteran free agent signing Alexander Mattison lost for the year in the preseason and second-year tailback Jaylen Wright to miss multiple weeks at the start, rookie Ollie Gordon II could see significant work in his first NFL game, especially in short-yardage situations, down by the goal line and when Miami wants his power to complement Achane’s speed.

The Dolphins’ revamped offensive line will feature their investment at both guard positions by adding James Daniels in free agency to play right guard and trading up in the second round of the draft for Jonah Savaiinaea at left guard. Behind these moves and with big left tackle Patrick Paul ready to take over his position in Year 2 and the return of center Aaron Brewer and Austin Jackson, Miami looks to turn its run-blocking from a weakness in 2024 to a strength in 2025.

As the Dolphins look to improve on their 21st-ranked rushing offense in 2024, the Colts were No. 24 against the run last year. Miami must account for defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, along with linebacker Zaire Franklin, who led the NFL with 173 tackles last season. Safety Nick Cross is also strong in run support. Edge: Dolphins

When the Colts run: It’s strength on strength, as the Colts’ rushing offense (No. 8) and Dolphins’ rushing defense (No. 9) were both top 10 last season. Against Indianapolis, teams must always be prepared for the combination of power and speed that Jonathan Taylor presents. He rushed for more than 1,4000 yards and scored 11 touchdowns on the ground in 14 games, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. With Daniel Jones the starting quarterback and not Anthony Richardson, though, Miami won’t have to worry as much about the quarterback taking it himself, although Jones is a capable scrambler.

The Colts have a strong left side of the offensive line with perennial All-Pro Quenton Nelson at left guard and Bernhard Raimann a rising left tackle who earned a contract extension this offseason. Indianapolis may try to have Taylor running behind them. Miami can trust defensive tackle Zach Sieler to hold up, along with linebacker Jordyn Brooks, and stopping the run is what nose tackle Benito Jones does when he’s in there. Then, it’s time for rookie defensive tackle Kenneth Grant to earn his shine in his regular-season debut. Second-year edge defender Chop Robinson must prove he’s improved as much as he said he has in setting the edge. Edge: Even

When the Dolphins pass: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has not had much time in training camp and the preseason with wide receiver Tyreek Hill as Hill has been working back from an oblique injury. This after the quarterback said the receiver still had work to do in rebuilding his relationship with teammates after the way last season ended. Tagovailoa’s connection with fellow wideouts Jaylen Waddle and Malik Washington has been strong, though, and he has Achane as a nice safety net catching the ball out of the backfield.

Longtime Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard is expected to start and be relied upon after sitting out the 2024 season. Miami may want to test him. The Colts are trying to improve on last year’s No. 26 pass defense and also brought in former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward to pair with talented nickel cornerback Kenny Moore. Tagovailoa has only recently gotten true practice work with new tight end Darren Waller after Jonnu Smith was such a big part of the offense in 2024. He also hasn’t yet built a strong rapport with taller red-zone wide receiver target Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.

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The Colts pass rush doesn’t particularly strike fear, but we’ll see how much edge rusher Laiatu Latu has improved from Year 1 to Year 2, but Paul and Jackson should mostly keep him and Kwity Paye, who had eight sacks last season, under wraps on the edge. The interior of the offensive line must also account for Buckner, and Tagovailoa seeks to release the football quickly, regardless. Edge: Dolphins

When the Colts pass: Jones is the starter now in Indy. He was 2-8 last year in 10 starts for the Giants, throwing eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He doesn’t necessarily scare an opponent, but what should scare Dolphins fans is the uncertainty of what this secondary will look like.

Second-year cornerback Storm Duck should be one starter. The other could be Jack Jones or Rasul Douglas, the former of which was signed early in training camp and the latter who joined the team just last week. Miami might rely upon rookie fifth-round pick Jason Marshall Jr. in the nickel, where he has never played previously in his life. The Colts have a talented receiving trio in Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and Josh Downs, plus they added tight end Tyler Warren out of Penn State in the first round of the past draft. With an entirely new secondary, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick may be counted on to try to cover up some mistakes from others, but there’s only so much he can do.

Miami’s best bet is to disrupt Jones with the pass rush, where the Dolphins are strong with Robinson, Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb off the edge, plus the recent addition of Matthew Judon. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver can package many of them together or rotate them to keep them fresh, while also rotating defensive linemen, where Grant leads three talented rookies to provide the interior pass rush around Sieler. Nelson will be tough to get around at left guard, but edge rushers look to win their matchups against left tackle Raimann and right tackle Braden Smith. Edge: Even

Special teams: Both teams have questionable kicking situations. The Dolphins have to rely on outside signing Riley Patterson as starting kicker Jason Sanders starts the season on injured reserve with a hip ailment. The Colts have Spencer Schrader, who bounced around filling in for three teams last season.

This is new special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman’s chance to prove his worth after replacing the fired Danny Crossman. We’ll see how Jake Bailey starts the year after winning the preseason punting competition, and how return specialist Washington and core special teamers like Elijah Campbell and Cameron Goode are highlighted. Edge: Even

Intangibles: Colts fans will surely be fired up to honor owner Jim Irsay, who died this offseason, in their first game since losing him. But both teams should be amped as potential playoff contenders to start the year in the win column. There might be a revenge factor for Howard, whom the Dolphins didn’t bring back despite a need at cornerback. And Miami should want to avenge last season’s loss in the same building in an ugly 16-10 defeat without Tagovailoa. Edge: Colts

PREDICTION: Dolphins 24, Colts 20

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