INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Whether you love what the Indianapolis Colts did this offseason or hate it, you've got to admit, the team's conviction in it is intriguing.
Moves to bring in the likes of starting defensive backs Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum were widely applauded nationally. However, signing veteran castoff quarteck Daniel Jones to compete with Anthony Richardson Sr. for the starting quarterback job — and ultimately rewarding him with the role — was met with fervent skepticism.
However, head coach Shane Steichen made the decision in an effort to win games, and the wait for those results is now over as the Colts host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Throughout the day, the team will honor late owner Jim Irsay, who passed away in May at the age of 65, culminating in him being inducted into the Colts' Ring of Honor. It's fair to say, this game holds extra meaning.
"I’m excited. I’ll tell you that," Steichen told reporters on Friday. "Honoring Mr. Irsay, I think there’s a lot more to it. Obviously, Week 1 with him going into the Ring of Honor, and honoring him this season. I keep saying that, but what he’s done for so many people in this city, this organization – what he’s meant to so many people not only in this city but out of this city. It’ll be a big Week 1 for us as a team."
As Colts fans wait to see if their team will be victorious on opening day for the first time in a dozen years, here is everything you need to know about Sunday’s battle between the Colts and Dolphins.
Broadcast Information
- Date/Time: Sunday, Sept. 7, at 1:00pm ET
- Where: Indianapolis, Ind.; Lucas Oil Stadium
- Television: CBS — Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Charles Davis and Jason McCourty (color), AJ Ross (sideline)
- Stream: Paramount+, NFL+, NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube/YouTubeTV
- Radio: WIBC HD 2 — Matt Taylor (play-by-play), Rick Venturi (color), Larra Overton (sideline)
All-Time Series
- Dolphins lead, 46-29. The Colts have won four of the last five matchups, dating back to 2015.
- Last game: Week 7 of 2024; Colts won, 16-10.
Coaching Staff
- Colts: head coach Shane Steichen; offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter; defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo; special teams coordinator Brian Mason
- Dolphins: head coach Mike McDaniel; offensive coordinator Frank Smith; defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver; special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman
Injury Report
Colts
- QUESTIONABLE — RB Tyler Goodson (elbow)
Dolphins
- QUESTIONABLE — G James Daniels (ankle), WR Dee Eskridge (concussion)
- OUT — CB Ethan Bonner (hamstring), TE Darren Waller (hip), RB Jaylen Wright (knee)
Storylines/Keys
- Colts Need Daniel Jones to Be the Savvy Pre-Snap Veteran: The main reason Steichen and the Colts chose Jones as the starting QB was because he knows what he's seeing and what to do, pre and post-snap, and he can help guide his teammates to where they're supposed to be. Miami's defense is a diverse one that will throw the Colts numerous looks, so Jones is going to need to be on top of his game before the ball is even snapped.
- Use Dolphins' Strengths Against Them: The strength of Miami's defense is up front with linemen Zach Sieler, Chop Robinson, Jaelen Phillips, and Bradley Chubb. No matter what the Colts do, the Dolphins are going to get pressure at least occasionally. However, this proved to be a defense last year that struggled to make tackles. If the Colts deploy a bevy of long-developing screens and draws out of the backfield, allowing pressure to approach and creating a void near the line of scrimmage, players like Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Warren, and Josh Downs could take advantage of yards-after-catch/yards-after-contact opportunities.
- Communication, Tackling Non-Negotiable: The Dolphins' worst-kept secret is how explosive their offense is. The Colts must communicate well to ensure players are hitting their landmarks and not being caught out of position, because being in the right spot and approaching players like De'Von Achane, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle squarely can be the difference in a three-yard pickup or an 80-yard touchdown.
- Familiarity: There is quite a bit of familiarity for both teams, but will it play any role? The Colts have former Dolphins like cornerback Xavien Howard, Anthony Walker (practice squad), Chris Lammons (practice squad), Salvon Ahmed (IR), and even new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. The Dolphins have former Colts cornerback JuJu Brents, who was a second-round pick by the Colts in 2023 and was waived this summer.
Intriguing Matchups
- Colts WR Josh Downs vs. Dolphins NCB Jason Marshall Jr.: With numerous injuries in the secondary, Miami is starting fifth-round rookie Marshall in the slot, who will draw the assignment of third-year Colts receiver Downs. Downs has the most receptions for a Colts player in their first two seasons in franchise history.
- Colts OL Matt Goncalves/Braden Smith vs. Dolphins DL Zach Sieler/Chop Robinson/Jaelen Phillips: The Colts' offensive line has undergone changes this offseason. They've got a new starting center in Tanor Bortolini, right guard in Goncalves, and right tackle Smith has returned after missing the final month-plus of last season with a personal issue. Goncalves and Smith have shown some warts over the summer (Goncalves is transitioning from tackle to guard for the first time), and they draw an incredibly challenging assignment with Miami's explosive defensive line.
- Colts CBs Charvarius Ward/Xavien Howard vs. Dolphins WRs Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle: There's a rare amount of recognition in these matchups. Ward and Hill were teammates with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Howard was teammates with both Hill and Waddle with the Dolphins. There have been hundreds of reps pitting these guys against each other in practice. They know each other, inside and out.
Projected Weather
- Retractable roof/window OPEN, sunny, temperature high-60s, 0% chance of precipitation, wind NW 9 mph, per Weather.com
Referee Assignment
- Head referee: Brad Allen (12 years), per FootballZebras.com. Allen's crew ranked 12th out of 17 crews in most penalties called per game (13.53) in 2024, per NFLPenalties.com.
Betting Line
- Favorite: Colts (-1.5), per ESPN Bet Sportsbook
- Over/Under: 46.5
Notes
- The Colts made the following transactions this week: Elevated linebacker Austin Ajiake and running back Ulysses Bentley IV to the active roster from the practice squad for Sunday's game. With Goodson questionable, Bentley provides insurance, both at running back and on special teams.
- Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner needs 1.5 sacks to pass Donnell Thompson (40.0) for the fourth-most sacks in franchise history.
- Cornerback Kenny Moore II needs four pass breakups to pass Vontae Davis (65) for the most in franchise history (since at least 1994).
- Running back Jonathan Taylor needs one 100-plus rushing game to pass Eric Dickerson (24) for the second-most in franchise history.
- The Lucas Oil Stadium roof and window are expected to be open on Sunday. The Colts hold an all-time record of 15-13 in that scenario.
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.