The Miami Dolphins fell to the Indianapolis Colts in the early Sunday slate, 24-22. Miami entered the matchup without several starters but showed resilience, competing until the final whistle.
Miami's defense set the tone early behind a pair of stops from inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks that forced the Colts into a three-and-out on their opening possession. After exchanging punts, running back Ollie Gordon II helped push the Dolphins into Colts territory, but a missed 47-yard field goal attempt from kicker Zane Gonzalez kept the game scoreless.
On the following drive, Indianapolis continued to progress down the field, starting the second quarter inside Miami's 5-yard line. Running back Seth McGowan punched it in for a touchdown, and kicker Spencer Shrader added the extra point to give the Colts a 7-0 lead.
The Dolphins didn't trail for long, responding with a trick play on the next drive. Quarterback Kyle McCord, making his first NFL start, flipped the ball to wide receiver Malik Washington, who then launched a 34-yard touchdown pass to fellow receiver Jalen Tolbert. Gonzalez converted the extra point to tie the game at 7-7.
Miami's defense kept the momentum going when safety Michael Taaffe picked off quarterback Daniel Jones for his third interception of the season, making him the first Dolphins rookie to record three interceptions since Vontae Davis in 2009.
The Dolphins were unable to capitalize on the takeaway, and Indianapolis responded with a nine-play, 92-yard drive. Jones capped the possession with a 7-yard touchdown pass to receiver Laquon Treadwell, giving the Colts a 14-7 lead heading into halftime.
Miami opened the second half on its own 10-yard line. Indianapolis' defense then forced a fumble and recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown, and the extra point extended the Colts' lead to 21-7.
The Dolphins quickly regrouped. McCord connected with Washington for a 31-yard gain to move Miami into field goal range, setting Gonzalez up for a season-long 53-yarder that cut the deficit to 21-10.
After the Dolphins forced a three-and-out, the two teams exchanged punts and the momentum carried over to Miami's defense. On the Colts next snap, a pass intended for tight end Andrew Ogletree was tipped into the hands of cornerback Chris Johnson, who raced 59 yards for a touchdown. The score marked the Dolphins' first pick-six since December 2023 and brought them within one score at 21-16.
The back-and-forth affair continued on the Colts next drive, with Shrader connecting from 51 yards out to make it 24-16.
Miami came right back with another scoring drive, highlighted by a 38-yard pass to receiver Caleb Douglas to set the offense up inside the Colts 10-yard line. McCord finished the drive himself, running up the middle for a touchdown for the final score of the evening.
McCord finished 17-of-32 (53.1 pct.) for 209 passing yards and a rushing touchdown. Gordon II led on the ground with 76 yards on 20 carries, and Douglas led through the air with 3 receptions for 71 yards. Brooks finished with a team-high 9 tackles including 6 solo stops, while edge rusher Chop Robinson tallied the only sack. The Dolphins' defense as a whole combined for 54 tackles and 4 quarterback hits.
The Dolphins head to Buffalo to take on the Bills at Highmark Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m.
