Man, that was a tough watch.
If you tuned into the Dolphins vs Colts 2024 matchup on October 20th, you probably felt like you were witnessing a defensive masterclass or, more likely, an offensive train wreck. It was the kind of game that makes fantasy football managers pull their hair out. Honestly, it was just gritty.
The final score was 16-10 in favor of the Indianapolis Colts. But the numbers don't really tell the whole story of how messy things got at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Return of Anthony Richardson
Everyone was waiting to see how Anthony Richardson would look after missing nearly three full games with a hip injury. The answer? Rusty. Very rusty.
He finished the day 10-of-24 for just 129 yards. That’s a 41.7% completion rate. Not exactly elite. He also coughed up a fumble in the first quarter that could have been disastrous. But he’s a dual threat for a reason. He used his legs to rack up 56 rushing yards, often being the only thing moving the chains when the passing game looked like it was stuck in mud.
You've gotta wonder how much of that was the injury and how much was just the Dolphins' defense playing out of their minds. Miami actually outgained Indy 337 to 284 in total yards. Yet, they walked away with a loss.
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The Miami Quarterback Carousel Continues
Miami just cannot catch a break. With Tua Tagovailoa still on IR during this game, Tyler "Snoop" Huntley got the start. He actually looked decent early on. He hit Jonnu Smith for a 10-yard touchdown to give Miami a 7-0 lead.
Then, disaster struck.
In the third quarter, Huntley took a hit to his throwing shoulder from Kenny Moore II. He tried to stay in, but the pain was obvious. He was ruled out, and in came Tim Boyle.
Imagine being a Dolphins fan and watching your fourth quarterback of the season take snaps. It’s brutal. Boyle did what he could, going 8-of-13 for 74 yards, but the offense lost its rhythm entirely.
Why Tyreek Hill Disappeared
This is the part that drives people crazy. Tyreek Hill had ONE catch for 8 yards.
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One.
For the fastest man in the league, that's basically a disappearing act. Jaylen Waddle wasn't much better with one catch for 11 yards. When you have elite speed and you're playing against a Colts secondary that has been leaky all year, you expect fireworks. Instead, we got a wet firecracker.
Jonnu Smith was actually the hero for Miami, hauling in 7 catches for 96 yards and a score. It’s wild that the tight end was the only one who could find space.
The Turning Points Nobody Talks About
Most people point to the quarterback injuries, but there were two specific plays that basically handed the game to Indianapolis.
- The Raheem Mostert Fumble: Right at the start of the third quarter, Mostert put the ball on the carpet. Segun Olubi recovered it for the Colts. A few plays later, Tyler Goodson punched it in for a 7-yard touchdown. Game tied.
- The Jason Sanders "Clank": Late in the fourth, the Dolphins had a chance to tie it with a 54-yard field goal. Sanders, who is usually money, hit the left upright. The sound of that ball hitting the post was basically the death knell for Miami's hopes.
The Colts didn't win because they were dominant. They won because they were slightly less "self-destructive" than the Dolphins.
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Defense Wins (Ugly) Games
Give credit to Grant Stuard. The guy had 18 tackles. His previous career high was two! That is an insane jump. He was everywhere, filling gaps and making sure Devon Achane (who had a solid 77 yards on the ground) couldn't break a long one.
Zaire Franklin also forced a fumble on Alec Ingold right when Miami was threatening to score in the red zone. The Colts' defense basically lived on the "bend but don't break" philosophy all afternoon.
What This Game Means Now
If you're looking back at the Dolphins vs Colts 2024 game, it serves as a reminder of how thin the margin for error is in the NFL. Miami had more yards, more first downs, and more time of possession. They still lost.
For the Colts, this pushed them to 4-3 and kept them in the AFC South conversation. For the Dolphins, it was a low point that highlighted just how much they missed Tua's ability to get the ball to Hill and Waddle.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors:
- Watch the "Rust" Factor: When a mobile QB like Richardson returns from a lower-body injury, expect the passing accuracy to be the first thing that fails.
- Target Shares Matter: If a team is on their 3rd or 4th string QB, look at the Tight End. They become the "security blanket," which is exactly why Jonnu Smith went off while the WRs stayed quiet.
- The Upright Curse: 50+ yard field goals are never a guarantee, especially in high-pressure 4th quarter situations. Don't bank on the kicker to save a stagnant offense.
If you're following these teams, keep a close eye on the injury reports for the next few weeks. The shoulder injury to Huntley and the "oblique" history for Richardson are things that tend to linger and affect throwing mechanics long after the players return to the field.