Miami Dolphins vs. Indianapolis Colts Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 20th 2024
Preview and Prediction
The Miami Dolphins are currently in a state of limbo as they await updates on the status of their star quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.
In the meantime, Tyler Huntley will once again lead the league's lowest-scoring offense as the Dolphins (2-3) take on the Indianapolis Colts (3-3) on Sunday.
Tagovailoa suffered a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills and has been sidelined for the past three games.
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During Tagovailoa's absence, the Dolphins have struggled to put points on the board, scoring only 3, 12, and 15 points in the full games he missed. On average, they have only scored 12 points per game this season. However, they did manage to secure a win during this stretch, defeating the New England Patriots 15-10 on October 6th before their bye week.
Miami's head coach, Mike McDaniel, is hopeful that Tagovailoa will be cleared to return to practice later this month.
"There is still information that he is seeking this week," McDaniel stated. "As far as timelines go, I know he won't be playing this week, but I do expect to see him back on the field in 2024. As for where that will be, we will let the process continue as we still have time before we can consider anything."
The Dolphins' backup quarterback, Skylar Thompson, started in Week 3 but sustained a rib injury. Huntley has started the past two games but has yet to throw a touchdown pass and has been intercepted once.
During their bye week, the team focused on helping Huntley become more familiar with the offense. Huntley, who was previously with the Baltimore Ravens, didn't join the Dolphins until mid-September.
"It was crucial for him to have more time to study and review the footwork of our core concepts and fundamentals, which he did an excellent job of working through," McDaniel explained.
The instability in the passing game has affected the production of standout receivers Tyreek Hill (23 catches, 286 yards) and Jaylen Waddle (21 catches, 258 yards). Hill has only scored one touchdown, while Waddle has yet to score.
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Last season, the two players combined for 191 receptions, 2,813 yards, and 17 touchdowns.
Miami did have Raheem Mostert back on the field for the first time in four weeks, and he rushed for 80 yards against the Patriots. His teammate, De'Von Achane, who was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, is hopeful to clear the concussion protocol this week after getting injured against the Patriots.
The Colts are also facing their own quarterback dilemma, with coach Shane Steichen stating that Anthony Richardson (oblique) will start unless he experiences a setback. Richardson has missed the past two games but was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
"Because he is a player that touches the ball on every play, and it's a long season, we wanted to make sure he is 100 percent before he returns to the field," Steichen said.
Joe Flacco replaced Richardson early in a Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and has started the past two games. He has thrown for 716 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception.
Flacco led the Colts to 10 fourth-quarter points in their 20-17 road victory over the Tennessee Titans last week. He threw a go-ahead 10-yard touchdown pass to Michael Pittman Jr. with 7:27 remaining in the game.
Pittman played through a painful back injury, and Flacco was impressed by his determination.
"When you have players like that, you can go a long way," Flacco said of Pittman. "Those are the type of players you need to win games, and he is incredible for that."
Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor (349 yards, four touchdowns) has missed the past two games due to an ankle injury and did not practice on Wednesday.
Other Indianapolis players who did not participate in Wednesday's practice include Pittman, fellow wide receiver Josh Downs (toe), center Ryan Kelly (calf), and linebacker E.J. Speed (knee).
For Miami, safeties Jevon Holland (hand) and Jordan Poyer (shin) were limited participants.
The Colts have won three of the teams'
Miami Dolphins vs. Indianapolis Colts Recap OCT 20TH 2024
Anthony Richardson passed for 129 yards and rushed for 56 to help the Indianapolis Colts squeeze out a 16-10 victory over the visiting Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Richardson missed the previous two games with an oblique injury but helped the Colts (4-3) win their second straight game. Tyler Goodson ran for a score, Grant Stuard racked up 18 tackles and Matt Gay kicked three field goals for Indianapolis.
Miami quarterback Tyler Huntley exited midway through the third quarter with an injury to his right throwing shoulder. Huntley completed 7 of 13 passes for 87 yards and one touchdown before exiting. He rushed for 20 yards on five carries.
Tim Boyle took over when Miami next had the ball and went the rest of the way, completing 8 of 13 passes for 74 yards. The Dolphins remain without Tua Tagovailoa, who sustained a concussion in Week 2.
Jonnu Smith had seven receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown for the Dolphins (2-4), who have lost four of their past five games. Tyreek Hill had just one catch for 8 yards, and Jaylen Waddle had one for 11 yards.
Miami took over with 1:51 left, and the drive started with an 8-yard pass to Hill. The Dolphins later faced fourth-and-2 from the Indianapolis 33-yard line, and Boyle's last-ditch throw was errant and out of bounds with seven seconds left. The Colts ran out the clock.
Indianapolis star running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) missed his third straight game.
The Colts took their first lead at 13-10 when Gay kicked a 22-yard field goal with 8:41 left in the contest.
Miami had a chance to tie the score, but Jason Sanders' 54-yard field goal attempt hit the left upright and was no good with 5:14 remaining.
Gay added on a 38-yarder with 1:51 left to boost the Indianapolis lead to six.
Earlier, Indianapolis knotted the score at 10 on Goodson's 7-yard touchdown run with 9:08 left in the third quarter. The score was set up when Miami's Raheem Mostert lost a fumble and Segun Olubi of the Colts recovered it and ran 18 yards to the Miami 28-yard line.
Miami got on the scoreboard first as Huntley hit Smith on a 10-yard throw with 5:56 left in the first quarter. Sanders tacked on a 33-yard field goal with 22 seconds left in the half.
Indianapolis countered with Gay's 52-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.