INDIANAPOLIS — In a thrilling matchup, Tyler Goodson rushed for a touchdown and quarterback Anthony Richardson orchestrated two crucial fourth-quarter scoring drives, leading the Indianapolis Colts to a hard-fought 16-10 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
With 8:41 remaining in the contest, kicker Matt Gay connected on a 22-yard field goal, putting Indy ahead for the first time. The Colts’ defense then stepped up, halting Miami’s attempts at a comeback at their own 33-yard line in the closing moments, securing the team’s triumph over the NFL’s lowest-scoring squad.
The Dolphins, now at a record of 2-4, had a chance to level the game with a 54-yard field goal attempt five minutes prior. However, Jason Sanders’ effort struck the left upright and tumbled back into the end zone, dashing Miami’s hopes.
With the victory, Indianapolis improved to 4-3, marking their fourth win in the last five games and their third consecutive home victory, bouncing back from an opening loss to Houston. In contrast, the Dolphins have suffered four losses in five games, exacerbated by yet another quarterback injury. Tyler Huntley left the game during the third quarter due to a right shoulder injury and did not return, with Tim Boyle stepping in as his replacement.
The game featured a lackluster offensive display. Richardson completed 10 of 24 passes for 129 yards, adding 56 rushing yards on 14 carries, although he did fumble the ball on one occasion in his first appearance since Week 4. Goodson contributed with 51 yards on 14 carries, achieving his first-ever NFL touchdown. Huntley managed to complete 7 of 13 passes for 87 yards and one touchdown, while rushing five times for 20 yards. Devon Achane also had a solid performance with 77 yards on 15 carries. While Jonnu Smith recorded seven catches for 96 yards, star receiver Tyreek Hill was largely contained, catching just one pass for 8 yards. Boyle ended the day completing 8 of 13 passes for 74 yards.
During the opening stages of the game, both teams struggled to find the end zone, with a single score occurring in the first 29 minutes – Huntley’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Smith on third-and-goal in the first quarter. As the first half neared its conclusion, Miami extended their lead with a 33-yard field goal by Sanders, only for Gay to respond with a 52-yard kick as time expired, narrowing the gap to 10-3 at halftime.
The second half mirrored the first, with little momentum until the Colts capitalized on Raheem Mostert’s fumble, allowing Goodson to score and tie the game with 9:08 remaining. Following Huntley’s exit from the game, the Colts seized on Alec Ingold’s fumble, converting it into a go-ahead field goal, with Gay nailing a 38-yarder to solidify the lead with 1:51 left on the clock.
In a special moment during halftime, Dallas Clark, a former tight end for the Colts, was inducted into the Colts Ring of Honor. His name and the years he played with the team (2003-11) will now be displayed above the south end zone. Clark enjoyed an illustrious 11-season NFL career, primarily with Indianapolis, amassing 649 receptions for 4,887 yards and 46 touchdowns, along with two Super Bowl appearances and one All-Pro selection. Notable alumni, including Hall of Famers Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, and Edgerrin James, were present to honor Clark.
On a different note, the Colts encountered mechanical issues that forced the retractable roof and north end zone window to remain closed on an otherwise warm and sunny day. Team owner Jim Irsay expressed disappointment over the situation in a tweet before the game, apologizing to fans for the inconvenience.
Looking ahead, the Dolphins will host the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday, while the Colts will embark on a two-game road trip starting against the Houston Texans.