The Miami Dolphins dropped a 16-10 nailbiter to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium. Despite the loss, there were positives the team can build on moving forward this season.
We go Inside the Numbers, presented by BDO, to take a look at the most notable team stats, individual metrics, milestones and more from Miami's Week 7 matchup.
Run Game Paces Offense
After rushing for 193 yards in the Week 5 win over the New England Patriots, Miami had another successful outing running the ball – this time rushing for 188 yards. The team averaged 4.7 yards per carry on 40 attempts, marking the third time the Dolphins have tallied at least 40 carries under Head Coach Mike McDaniel.
Miami gained a sizable chunk of these yards in the first 30 minutes, recording 115 yards on the ground in opening half. It was the most rushing yards in the first half for Miami since Week 5 of the 2023 campaign against the New York Giants (131). It marked the second time this season in which the Dolphins have recorded 100 or more rushing yards in the first half, having ran for 101 yards in the first half of the Week 2 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Running back De'Von Achane led the ground game, tallying a game-high 77 yards on 15 carries (5.1 avg.). Running back Raheem Mostert added 11 carries for 50 yards (4.5 avg.), while rookie running back Jaylen Wright, highlighted by a 19-yard rush in the third quarter, added 33 yards on five carries (6.6 avg.).
Through the first 17 games of his career, Achane has rushed for 1,060 yards. He's the 32nd player in Dolphins history to rush for over 1,000 yards with the team. Achane also caught two passes against the Colts, giving him 50 career receptions.
Mostert, with 2,042 rushing yards, is the 15th Dolphin to reach 2,000 yards with the team.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley also added to the run game, tallying 20 yards on five carries (4.0 avg.).
Defense Continues Strong Start to Season
Miami limited Indianapolis to 284 total yards, marking the fifth time this season that the team has held opponents to less than 300 yards. The Houston Texans are the only other team in the NFL that has accomplished such a feat this season.
Indianapolis converted four of their 13 third-down attempts, continuing Miami's success of getting third down stops. Through Week 7, the Dolphins rank fourth in total yards allowed per game (285.2 avg.) and first in third-down defense (26.5%).
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was held to just 129 yards through the air, and he completed only 10 of his 24 attempts. Miami's defense is the only team to limit opponents to less than 150 passing yards in five games this year. The Dolphins have allowed the fewest passing yards per game (154.5 avg.) in the league so far this season.
Success on Defense Starts with Sieler and Campbell
Defensive tackles Zach Sieler and Calais Campbell continued their strong starts to the season against Indianapolis.
Campbell recorded five tackles – tying a season high – and three tackles for loss, pushing his season total to a team-high seven tackles for loss. It marks the 14th time in his career he has recorded three tackles for loss. The veteran defender has tallied at least five tackles for loss in 15 of his 17 NFL seasons.
Campbell also became the first interior defensive lineman, fourth defensive lineman ever and only active defensive lineman to appear in 250 games. Among all active NFL players, Campbell is tied for third in games played alongside Carolina Panthers long snapper J.J. Jansen.
Sieler made his fifth-career fumble recovery in the first quarter, ending a Colts drive that was in scoring position. He recorded four tackles in addition to the takeaway for the game.
Through the 1 p.m. games, Sieler is one of two players this season, along with San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Nick Bosa, to record at least 2.0 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. Sieler is the first Dolphins player to have multiple sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery in consecutive seasons since Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor in 2006 and 2007.
Defensive Backs Dominate
Several of Miami's cornerbacks and safeties had standout performances.
Cornerback Kendall Fuller tallied seven tackles, pushing him past the 500-tackle mark for his career. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey had four tackles and recorded two quarterback hits on Richardson in the third quarter. Fuller and Ramsey rank second and third, respectively, in the NFL in tackles recorded by a cornerback since the pair was drafted in 2016.
Miami's safeties were also involved as tacklers, as Jordan Poyer totaled a team-high eight tackles and Marcus Maye recorded five tackles.
Cornerback Kader Kohou also had a strong outing, breaking up two passes. It marks the sixth time in his career and the first since Week 6 of the 2023 season against Carolina that he totaled multiple pass breakups in a game.
Individual/Team Stats and Milestones
Tight end Jonnu Smith had his most productive day as a Dolphin, catching a game-high seven passes for 96 yards and a touchdown. He is one of three tight ends in the NFL in a game this season to catch at least seven passes, have at least 90 yards receiving and a score, joining Brock Bowers (LV), Cole Kmet (Chi.) and Isaiah Likely (Bal.).
Several Dolphins achieved games played and started milestones. Linebacker Mohamed Kamara made his NFL debut, recording his first career tackle in the first quarter. Long snapper Matt Overton also made his Dolphins debut. Kicker Jason Sanders played in his 105th consecutive game for Miami, offensive tackle Terron Armstead appeared in his 125th career game, wide receiver Tyreek Hill appeared in his 130th career game and Poyer appeared in his 160th career game.
