Miami Dolphins Sent To Early Grave With A 33-8 Loss Against The Colts
INDIANAPOLIS — The Miami Dolphins’ 2025 season began with a stunning and demoralizing defeat, as they were routed 33-8 by the Indianapolis Colts in a game that felt far more lopsided than the final score suggests. In what could be described as one of the worst performances of the Mike McDaniel era, the Dolphins were dominated in every facet of the game and sent a clear message that their Week 1 winning streak is a thing of the past.
The Colts, energized by the induction of late owner Jim Irsay into their Ring of Honor, came out firing on all cylinders. Newly acquired quarterback Daniel Jones, making his Colts debut, was sharp and efficient, orchestrating an offense that scored on all seven of its possessions. He finished the day with 272 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns, consistently moving the chains against a Miami defense that struggled to get off the field.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, were a different story. The offense, a hallmark of their recent success, was completely inept. They were held to just 43 total yards in the first half and were shut out until the final quarter. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, in a performance he later called “the worst game of his career,” was inaccurate and under constant duress, getting sacked three times and turning the ball over twice with a fumble and two interceptions. The highly-touted receiving duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle was held in check, combining for just 70 yards on eight receptions.
The Colts’ defensive front, led by a revamped secondary, wreaked havoc on the Dolphins’ passing game. The unit came within six-and-a-half minutes of a shutout and gave Miami no breathing room. The Dolphins’ only points came late in the fourth quarter when De’Von Achane managed to find the endzone on a screen pass, a small silver lining in an otherwise abysmal showing.
This was not the start the Dolphins envisioned for their 60th season. Injuries to key players like right guard James Daniels and cornerback Storm Duck further compounded the team’s struggles. The Colts snapped an 11-game Week 1 losing streak with a convincing victory, while the Dolphins were left to reflect on a performance that raised serious questions about their readiness for the season ahead. Miami will now return home to face the New England Patriots in Week 2, with the hope of quickly putting this embarrassment behind them.