The Miami Dolphins‘ season opener at the Indianapolis Colts was a disaster in every area imaginable.
The Dolphins were trounced, 33-8, and if they want to be a legitimate AFC Playoffs contender, they’d better come up with some answers quickly.
Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman dominated the Dolphins‘ defense, as it yielded more than 400 yards.
Tua Tagovailoa (3 turnovers), Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane were dominated by the Colts‘ defense.
The Dolphins entered as a 1-point underdog, with national expectations extremely low under coach Mike McDaniel.
Miami met national expectations. It was even worse than could be imagined.
Miami will try to rebound in a home opener against the Patriots on Sunday, Sept. 14, at Hard Rock Stadium.
Here are our instant takeaways:
James Daniels injury tests OL depth immediately
Starting right guard James Daniels entered this game with an ankle injury but quickly departed in the first quarter with a pectoral injury. He did not return.
Kion Smith entered. The Dolphins allowed three first-half sacks of Tagovailoa.
Daniels sustained an Achilles injury with Pittsburgh last season. The Dolphins were able to sign him at a below-market deal because of recovery concerns.
Liam Eichenberg and Andrew Meyer are injured. The Dolphins re-signed Kendall Lamm as a reserve tackle but he was a healthy scratch for this one.
Miami cannot afford injuries along the offensive line. They just can’t.
Storm Duck injured; Xavien Howard makes Indy play
The Dolphins’ worst nightmare came true at Indianapolis.
Already gutted at cornerback, top player Storm Duck left the field on a golf cart after sustaining a first-half ankle injury. He was ruled out at halftime.
Before he left, Duck allowed a touchdown pass from Danel Jones to Michael Pittman.
Duck was replaced by veteran Rasul Douglas, who played with some confidence in the first half, despite very limited practice time due to a recent arrival.
Miami has traded Jalen Ramsey, cut Kendall Fuller and placed Kader Kohou on injured reserve. They are trying to disprove secondary naysayers. And there are many.
To make things especially painful, former Dolphin Xavien Howard had a recovery of a Tagovailoa fumble in the first half.
Howard is a Dolphins legend and the team passed on any reunion.
Tyreek Hill frustrations
The Dolphins really needed a good start to their season and when it started to unravel in the first half, Tyreek Hill was seen expressing frustration on the Dolphins’ sideline.
This is a delicate balance. On the one hand, it shows Hill cares. Hill has said he wants to be a positive leader in 2025, even though he’s no longer a captain.
But the last time Hill had played for Miami he removed himself from the game, upsetting teammates. If this season goes sideways quickly, how Hill responds will be closely monitored.
If the Dolphins do not have a winning record at the NFL’s trade deadline, Hill will immediately shoot to the top of the list among league stars expected to be traded.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins offense off the mark
Tua Tagovailoa was sacked three times in the first half.
Tagovailoa had an interception and sack/lost fumble in the first half.
Tagovailoa had another interception in the second half.
Tua passed for only 114 yards and had a passer rating of 51.7.
This was a colossal massive offensive disappointment against a Colts defense that should really not be a juggernaut.
The Dolphins had their worst offensive output in the first half since at least 1991, according to CBS.
This and That
Matthew Judon had a running-into-the-punter that gave the Colts a first down. Judon has not played a lot of special teams in recent years… On the bright side, Dee Eskridge had a nice kickoff return and is a weapon… Bradley Chubb had a first-half sack, as he returns from missing all of 2024… Ollie Gordon II actually converted a 3rd-and-1 run for Miami. The rookie should be called upon in that role this season and should help Miami improve what has been a weakness for years… Is the Dolphins’ pass defense a concern? Well, what if we told you Indianapolis’ Daniel Jones had a career-high in first-half passing yards, with 183?… Tanner Conner, filling in for Darren Waller (hip), had an encouraging third-down conversion… Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, once let go in 2018 as a Dolphins’ assistant, was in his bag for this one, repeatedly confusing Miami’s offense…. De’Von Achane scored on a fourth down in the fourth quarter… Julian Hill caught a pass for a 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter… Jordyn Brooks(13) and Tyrel Dodson (13) totaled 26 tackles for the Dolphins. That’s actually too many for a pair of inside linebackers.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at js****@****st.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins vs Colts takeaways: Tua Tagovailoa struggles in awful loss
