After a full week of R&R – mixed in with some injury recovery – the rested Miami Dolphins, off a bye week, head to Lucas Oil Stadium for a contest against the 3-3 Indianapolis Colts.
Both teams share some unexpected similarities, including questions about who will play at quarterback. In addition, both teams have played in winnable games that didn’t go their way. This creates a unique matchup that has no clear winner on paper.
After an early bye week, the Dolphins stand with a 2-3 record. While that might not be how many thought the beginning of the season would go, it’s not the end of the world. In a division more even than anticipated, the door to an AFC East title is still wide open.
Things Could Be… Worse?
Despite missing Tua Tagovailoa in their last three games, Miami is not on pace to lose out. They’re coming off an ugly win against New England, but it’s still a win.
The big issue as always is the inability to march the ball down the field. Tyler Huntley has taken the mantle of quarterback for Miami and has not looked particularly well. Short and medium passes are accurate enough. The balls never seem on target when he wants to go deep, though. The fact that Tua is still the team leader in passing yards is not a good thing.
Huntley prides himself on being a scary dual-threat player who can make plays happen on the ground and the air. However, he’s been limited to keeping the ball and running. Instead, he’s handing the ball off or running around for a measly pickup of one or two yards.
The Dolphins Wednesday practice ahead of Colts game.
Tyler Huntley preparing for his 3rd start.
Jevon Holland at practice despite hand injury @WPBF25News pic.twitter.com/zNwJu376pT
— Yianni Kourakis (@WPBF_Yianni) October 16, 2024
Not A Clear Or Good Image
On that topic, Miami’s offensive line has given Huntley time in the pocket…usually. That’s only one half of the story, as they struggle with creating holes for the running backs. Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, and Jaylen Wright are all solid backs, but they still need support from the O-line to give them running room.
Finally, the play-calling has not been great. Option plays on first-and-ten can only do so much. Throwing the ball under the line to gain on third down can only do so much. Conservative play-calling with or without a lead late in games is underwhelming. This is a unit that had the best-scoring offense last season, and now they look like a completely new (And completely worse) group.
Miami’s defense has been good, but with big injuries to stars like Jaelan Philips, Jevon Holland, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Jordan Poyer, there’s limited healthy star power left. They’re coming off a solid showing against New England, but considering the state of the Patriots, they had better do that.
Overall, they’re lucky to be in a close division. The Jets just fired their head coach. The Bills might do the same as the season goes on considering how they’ve stumbled in close games. And the Patriots…aren’t the Patriots of old.
A Quick Trip To Indy
Hailing from the Midwest, the Indianapolis Colts had a bumpy road to start the 2024 campaign. With a 3-3 record, every game they’ve been in came down to one score. After back-to-back losses to Houston and Green Bay, they won two straight against Chicago and Pittsburgh before a loss to Jacksonville and a recent win over Tennessee.
They looked to have a reliable quarterback in Anthony Richardson, who entered his second season after being drafted from the University of Florida. He’s pretty accurate, a solid runner, and can handle pressure. But following shoulder surgery that sidelined him last season, he’s now dealing with a strained oblique he suffered in their win over Pittsburgh. It’s unclear if he’ll start in this upcoming game, but he’s been seen in practices.
What Indy has that Miami doesn’t right now is a reliable, experienced backup that has taken over the offense almost effortlessly. Joe Flacco, a Super Bowl champion from Baltimore, has since been a journeyman who played for Cleveland before joining Indianapolis.
The work continues! Anthony Richardson at today’s practice! #Colts pic.twitter.com/vA13WQds2a
— Kent Sterling (@KentSterling) October 16, 2024
A Certified Miami Killer
Flacco has an accurate arm and knows how to command on offense, which has made him a solid fit pretty much anywhere he goes. He hardly turns the ball over and can take a hit when the pocket collapses. He is 39 years old, however, and he’s not exactly a runner.
He’s been backed up with a solid running game, with Jonathan Taylor as their featured player in the offense. 349 rushing yards and four touchdowns highlight an impressive start to his 2024 season, as the Colts also feature a veteran offensive line that’s as reliable as they get.
Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr are a wide receiver duo that Miami’s secondary might struggle to contain. Pierce is their go-top option for big-yard plays, and Pittman is a reliable catcher wherever the ball is thrown. Combined with accurate passes from Flacco, they have an uncanny ability to march the ball down the field through the air.
The Colts’ defense has been criticized. The bright spot in their unit is in the safeties, led by Nick Cross. It seems like the backfield is reliable, but the defensive line is holding the defense back. Their rush defense is one of the worst in the NFL, and with no sacks in their last two games, they have a tough time getting to the QB.
Final Thoughts
If you’re tired of low-scoring games, you might be disappointed once again.
Miami’s offense needs something to give, and it should be through the ground. They need to capitalize on a bottom-tier rush defense, as their passing game will be tested by a solid linebacker and secondary group.
Regardless of who will be the starting quarterback for Indianapolis, I have faith in their offense. Richardson and Flacco are accurate passers who can torch an injured Dolphins defense. Combine that with a dangerous back in Taylor, I think things could get ugly if Miami isn’t careful.
Overall, the rested Dolphins haven’t shown many aspects of their game that can’t be exposed or matched in skill by the Indianapolis Colts. Add the fact that it’s on the road, and I don’t feel good about their chances of starting a winning streak.
Indianapolis – 24
Miami – 13
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