Despite a strong first half performance, the Miami Dolphins fell to the Indianapolis Colts 16-10 on Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Trailing by six with under two minutes left to play, Miami began a promising final drive as passes to tight end Jonnu Smith and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Malik Washington crossed the Dolphins into Indianapolis territory. A four-yard, third-down scramble by quarterback Tim Boyle brought Miami to Indianapolis' 41-yard line, but the Dolphins were not able to move the sticks any further.
Boyle entered the game in the third quarter for starting quarterback Tyler Huntley, who was ruled out with a right shoulder injury. Huntley completed 7-of-13 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown and recorded five carries for 20 yards (4.0 avg.), while Boyle completed 8-of-13 passes for 74 yards.
The Dolphins' defense was able to contain quarterback Anthony Richardson, who completed just 10-of-24 passes for 129 yards and added 14 carries for 56 yards.
Miami's offense was effective in both the run and pass game, as tight end Jonnu Smith caught seven passes for a game-high 96 yards (13.7 avg.) and a touchdown, while running back De'Von Achane recorded 15 carries for a game-high 77 yards (5.1 avg). Running back Raheem Mostert added 11 carries for 50 yards (4.5 avg.), while rookie running back Jaylen Wright totaled five carries for 33 yards (6.6 avg.).
Miami utilized the ground game to set up its aerial attack on the first scoring possession of the game. Six straight runs set up an 18-yard reception by Smith to put Miami in the red zone. Huntley and Smith connected once more with a nine-yard touchdown to finish off the 11-play, 58-yard scoring drive with 5:56 remaining in the first quarter.
The Colts made a valiant effort in responding on their next offensive possession. On the shoulders of its run game, Richardson led Indianapolis 72 yards downfield before a mishandled snap was recovered by defensive tackle Zach Sieler.
Both Miami and Indianapolis punted the ball away twice before the Dolphins' last offensive possession of the half, which resulted in a 33-yard field goal by kicker Jason Sanders.
Indianapolis answered with a score of its own, as kicker Matt Gay nailed a 52-yard field goal as time expired, giving Miami a 10-3 lead at halftime.
Indianapolis was first on the board in the second half after a Mostert fumble was recovered by linebacker Segun Olubi, which led to a seven-yard touchdown run by running back Tyler Goodson to tie the game at 10 a piece with 9:08 remaining in the third quarter.
Miami had a promising drive late in the third quarter, but a fumble by fullback Alec Ingold gave Indianapolis possession at their own 14-yard line. Miami and Indianapolis both traded punts to close out the third quarter.
The Colts orchestrated a 12-play, 69-yard scoring drive that took over six minutes off the clock to start the fourth quarter. Miami's defense prevented Indianapolis from crossing the pylon, but the Colts still took their first lead of the afternoon after Gay's 22-yard field goal.
The Dolphins had a chance to tie the game on their next drive, but Sanders 54-yard field goal attempt bounced off the left upright with 5:19 remaining in the game. Indianapolis added a 38-yard field goal on the following drive to extend their lead to 16-10.
Miami returns to Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 27 to play the Arizona Cardinals (2-4). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on FOX.
