Two teams facing modest expectations in 2025 will open their campaigns on Sunday, September 7, when the Miami Dolphins visit the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium for an AFC clash.
The Dolphins limped to an 8-9 finish last year, with their fortunes sinking noticeably in the absence of Tua Tagovailoa, dropping four of the six contests he sat out. As Miami looks ahead, the quarterback’s durability looms as the pivotal factor that could make or break the team's season. Yet, rumblings from training camp have raised eyebrows, with reports hinting at disarray behind the scenes that could further complicate the team’s outlook.
On the Colts’ end, last season brought more of the same inconsistency. Indianapolis wrapped up another 8-9 campaign, falling short of their 9-8 mark from 2023. That extended the franchise’s drought in the AFC South to nine straight years without a division crown, and while the Colts managed to finish second, their playoff hopes came crashing down in Week 17 at the hands of the struggling New York Giants.
| Date | Sunday, September 7, 2025 |
| Time | 1:00 pm ET / 12:00 pm CT/ 10:00 am PT |
| Venue | Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, Indiana ) |
| TV Channel | CBS |
| Streaming | Fubo |
| Buy Tickets | Stubhub |
| Odds | -125 (Colts) | +105 (Dolphins) |
Indianapolis Colts vs Miami Dolphins roster & injury news
Indianapolis Colts team news
The Colts had a rough time in preseason play. They opened with a 24-16 road loss at Baltimore, where Daniel Jones went 10-of-21 for 144 yards, and Ulysses Bentley led the backfield with 35 rushing yards on seven carries. Their second game didn’t go much better, as they fell 23-19 at home to Green Bay. Jones completed 7-of-11 for 101 yards in that one, with Coleman Owen topping the receiving chart at four catches for 46 yards.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Offense | Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard, Anthony Richardson Sr. (QB); DJ Giddens, Tyler Goodson, Jonathan Taylor (RB); Josh Downs, Ashton Dulin, Anthony Gould, Adonai Mitchell, Alec Pierce, Michael Pittman Jr. (WR); Mo Alie-Cox, Will Mallory, Drew Ogletree, Tyler Warren (TE); Tanor Bortolini, Danny Pinter (C); Matt Goncalves, Quenton Nelson, Dalton Tucker (G); Bernhard Raimann, Braden Smith, Luke Tenuta, Jalen Travis (OT) |
| Defense | Samson Ebukam, Laiatu Latu, Tyquan Lewis, Kwity Paye, JT Tuimoloau (DE); Adetomiwa Adebawore, DeForest Buckner, Neville Gallimore, Eric Johnson II, Grover Stewart (DT); Joe Bachie, Zaire Franklin, Cameron McGrone, Chad Muma, Segun Olubi (LB); Mekhi Blackmon, Johnathan Edwards, Xavien Howard, Jaylon Jones, Kenny Moore II, Charvarius Ward (CB); Cam Bynum, Nick Cross, Daniel Scott, Rodney Thomas II (S) |
| Special Teams | Spencer Shrader (K), Rigoberto Sanchez (P), Luke Rhodes (LS) |
Miami Dolphins team news
For Miami, meanwhile, preseason action provided a mixed bag of results. In the opener, Quinn Ewers struggled to find a rhythm, managing just 91 yards on a shaky 5-of-18 performance. Running back Ollie Gordon chipped in 33 yards and a touchdown on eight carries, but the Dolphins couldn’t generate enough offense.
Things looked brighter in their second outing on the road against Detroit. Despite trailing 17-14 entering the final quarter, Miami surged late with 10 unanswered points to grab a 24-17 win. Ewers bounced back with an efficient 11-of-17 passing for 116 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Gordon once again paced the ground game with 50 yards on 10 attempts, while Theo Wease turned in a standout showing, hauling in six catches for 80 yards and two scores.
The Dolphins carried that momentum into their third matchup against Jacksonville, rallying with a strong defensive effort to blank the Jaguars 6-0 in the second half and secure a 14-6 victory. Tua Tagovailoa saw some action, completing 4-of-8 for 49 yards and a touchdown. Mike Boone added 27 rushing yards and a score, Malik Washington caught three passes for 41 yards and a touchdown, and Zach Wilson chipped in with 80 yards through the air on 9-of-13 passing.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Offense | Quinn Ewers, Tua Tagovailoa, Zach Wilson (QB); De'Von Achane, Ollie Gordon II, Jaylen Wright (RB); Alec Ingold (FB); Dee Eskridge, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Malik Washington, Tahj Washington, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR); Tanner Conner, Julian Hill, Darren Waller (TE); Aaron Brewer, James Daniels, Austin Jackson, Jonah Savaiinaea (G); Larry Borom, Daniel Brunskill, Kendall Lamm, Patrick Paul, Kion Smith (OT) |
| Defense | Zeek Biggers, Matthew Butler, Kenneth Grant, Benito Jones, Jordan Phillips, Zach Sieler (DT); K.J. Britt, Jordyn Brooks, Bradley Chubb, Tyrel Dodson, Willie Gay Jr., Cameron Goode, Matthew Judon, Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson (LB); Ethan Bonner, JuJu Brents, Rasul Douglas, Storm Duck, Jack Jones, Jason Marshall Jr. (CB); Elijah Campbell, Ashtyn Davis, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Dante Trader Jr. (S) |
| Special Teams | Jake Bailey (P), Joe Cardona (LS) |
Colts vs Dolphins head-to-head record
The Dolphins hold a 48-29 advantage in the all-time head-to-head, but recent history tilts in Indianapolis’ favor, with the Colts taking eight of the last 10 matchups.
Which channel is Colts vs Dolphins game on?
The Indianapolis Colts vs Miami Dolphins game in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season will air live on CBS in the US. Fans will be able to catch the coverage onFubo (Try for free today!).
More details on where to watch the game in the United States, including streaming options, will be released soon, so keep an eye out for our dedicated coverage.
For fans outside the U.S. looking to stay plugged into the action,NFL Game Pass on DAZN is the ultimate ticket. It serves up more than 200 regular-season and playoff matchups, complete Super Bowl coverage, plus access to NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and plenty more to keep you locked in all year long.
How to buy Colts vs Dolphins ticket
Tickets are already up for grabs on StubHub, with entry starting at $386. From there, prices climb through the tiers — $300, $400, $500, $600, $700, $800, $900, $1,000, and stretching all the way into the premium ranges of $2,000, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $6,000, and topping out at $10,406 for the best seats in the house.
Check the link below for the full breakdown of how to purchase tickets to NFL games.
READ MORE: NFL 2025 Tickets: Prices, deals, season tickets & membership information
Colts vs Dolphins Fantasy Football
Fantasy managers should lean heavily toward Miami’s high-octane offense in this matchup, with the Dolphins entering as home favorites in what could turn into a shootout. Tua Tagovailoa returns healthy and ready to roll, making him a strong fantasy QB play thanks to his accuracy and chemistry with his elite wideout duo. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle remain target magnets and are must-starts in any format, while De’Von Achane brings a versatile skill set as both a runner and receiver, giving him explosive upside as Miami’s lead back. If Tagovailoa finds his rhythm early, this unit could light up the scoreboard in a hurry.
For Indianapolis, Daniel Jones takes the reins at quarterback and will lean on Michael Pittman Jr., who continues to be the Colts’ most reliable pass-catching option. While Pittman is playable, he’ll be facing a stingy Dolphins secondary. Jonathan Taylor should get a heavy workload, but Miami’s defensive front makes him more of an RB2 play this week than a top-tier option. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren could be a sneaky low-end fantasy sleeper, particularly if the Colts find themselves in red-zone situations. The offensive line will have to be sharp to give Jones time to build any rhythm.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet – Week 1 Colts vs. Dolphins:
Start with confidence: Tua Tagovailoa (15.6 projected fpts for Week 1), Tyreek Hill (15.7 projected fpts for Week 1), Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane.Solid Colts plays: Daniel Jones (streaming QB option, 15.2 projected fpts for Week 1), Michael Pittman Jr. (steady WR2, 12 projected fpts for Week 1).
Risk/reward pick: Jonathan Taylor as an RB2 against Miami’s tough run D.
Sleeper alert: Rookie TE Tyler Warren for possible red-zone usage.
Keep an eye on: Achane’s health status—his availability is key for Miami’s fantasy firepower.
Colts vs Dolphins Game Predictions
Miami might have the upper hand in this one. The Dolphins wrapped up preseason with a glimmer of encouragement after Tua Tagovailoa found the end zone, though the overall stat line left plenty to be desired. Miami managed just 239 total yards of offense, 152 through the air, with 16 first downs and a 4-of-12 conversion rate on third downs. The defense, however, did its job, clamping down on Jacksonville and holding them to 207 yards (only 86 passing), 12 first downs, and 3.9 yards per snap. Of course, preseason only tells part of the story, and now it’s time for the real test. If Miami comes out sharp, Indianapolis looks like a winnable opener—even on the road.
That said, ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Colts the slightest edge, with a 50.7% chance to take it.
Colts vs Dolphins Odds
Spread: Colts -1.5 (-112)
Total: 46.5 (Over -118/Under -102)
Moneyline: -125 (Colts) | +105 (Dolphins)
More NFL news and coverage
- Colts 2025 NFL schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games
- Dolphins 2025 NFL schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games
- How to watch and live stream NFL football for free and without cable
- 2025 fantasy football rankings: Running back (RB) | Wide receiver (WR) | Tight end (TE) | Quarterback (QB)