The Indianapolis Colts open the 2025 season with a commanding 33-8 win over the Miami Dolphins.

Heading into the season, the Colts faced significant questions at quarterback and on defense. Quarterback Daniel Jones played a servicable, mistake-free game. And the Colts defense held up well against Tyreek Hill and a normally explosive Dolphins passing attack.

Buy Indianapolis Colts tickets

Here are three winners and three losers for the Colts’ Week 1 win.

WINNER: Tyler Warren, TE Colts

Expect the former No. 14 overall pick out of Penn State to be heavily involved in the Colts offense this season. Warren drew three of Daniel Jones’ first six targets, recording three catches for 43 yards on the Colts’ opening drive. Warren took a handoff up the middle as a fullback, converting a first down and threw a great open-field block on a Jonathan Taylor catch on the second possession.

The rookie finished with seven catches for 76 yards, the 8th most by a tight end making his NFL debut.

Warren showed the ability to separate from coverage, find the soft spot in the zone defense, and make the acrobat catch along the sideline. Coming off a season where Colts tight ends produced little offense, Warren brings a welcome new element to Indy’s passing attack.

WINNER: Camryn Bynum, S Colts

Bynum, a rare high-price Colts free agent signing made his presence felt early, intercepting Tua Tagovailoa on the Dolphins opening possession. Bynum is known for his elaborate interception celebration and he did not disappoint, doing a dance that was a cross between a reverse worm and a flapping fish. The dance was actually an homage to a meme of a Madden glitch.

The Colts need difference makers on defense outside of DeForest Buckner and Kenny Moore II. If Bynum develops into a game changer at safety, the once maligned defense can become a strength.

WINNER: Shane Steichen, HC Colts

For one game, Colts coach Shane Steichen’s decision to name Daniel Jones starting quarterback is the right one. Jones was decisive in his reads pre- and post-snap, made accurate throws and most importantly, avoided turning the ball over. The ceiling of the offense may be lower with Jones, but with the Colts’ solid skill position players, a game manager like Jones is exactly what Steichen is looking for.

LOSER: Tua Tagovailoa, QB Dolphins

One of these teams came into the season with a quarterback controversy and it wasn’t the Dolphins. Tagovailoa struggled against the Colts finishing 14 for 23 for 113 yards two interceptions and one touchdown. Pass catchers not named Tyreek Hill struggled to get open and Tagovailoa’s offensive line failed him, surrendering three sacks and four quarterback hits.

LOSER: Mike McDaniel, HC Dolphins

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, once considered an offensive wunderkind, struggled to solve a suspect Colts defense. The Dolphins managed just eight points against the Colts, their lowest total since a 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks Week 3 last season. This version of the Dolphis is a far cry from the team that scored 70 points against the Denver Broncos in 2023.

LOSER: Anthony Richardson Sr., QB

Colts starter Daniel Jones wasn’t spectacular, and that’s part of the reason I’m making Richardson a loser. Jones didn’t have to be special. He managed the game and avoided mistakes, two things Richardson struggled with during his time as Colts starter. Jones spread the ball around, hitting seven different receivers, adding 26 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

If the Colts can get this version of Jones for 17 games, Richardson’s time as Colts starter is over.

Joel A. Erickson covers the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.