The Indianapolis Colts host the Miami Dolphins in NFL Week 1 action. History is working against the Colts: They haven’t won a Week 1 game since 2014, while the Dolphins have won four straight openers.
Both teams face significant questions, coming off of 8-9 seasons with coaches who could end up on the hot seat with poor starts. Both teams have reconstructed defensive backfields. The Dolphins have returning quarterback Tua Tagovailoa while the Colts are starting newcomer Daniel Jones.
Who has the edge?
NFL Week 1 score predictions, picks for Indianapolis Colts vs. Miami Dolphins
“The streak has to end at some point, right? In a battle of two coaches facing questions about their futures, it feels like the Colts have fewer questions than a Miami team that is going through a significant rebuild on the defensive side of the ball, allowing veteran Daniel Jones to get off to a good start.”
“This will be Daniel Jones making his Colts debut at quarterback against a Miami secondary that isn’t exactly filled with premier playmakers at corner. It’s a great chance for Jones. The Dolphins should be able to have success throwing it on the other side, especially if Tyreek Hill is back healthy. Look for a high-scoring game, with the Colts finding a way at home.”
“For two teams coming off 8-9 campaigns, neither the Colts nor the Dolphins had offseasons befitting teams on the rise. Miami battled perceptions about its toughness, leadership and depleted DB group, while Indy embarked on a punchless QB competition that concluded with newcomer Daniel Jones, not former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson, earning the starting job. The uncertainty swirling over both teams clouds the forecast on Sunday. Mike McDaniel’s track record in season-openers (3-0) suggests an edge over Shane Steichen (0-2), but while that’s a fun stat, I suspect it’ll be less influential on the final outcome than the Fins’ revamped front seven. Can the unit, which will debut first-rounder Kenneth Grant and return both Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb (significant injuries), make the Colts one-dimensional and mitigate Miami’s suspect secondary? Maybe. But as encouraging as the unit sounds on paper, and may end up eventually being on the field, I’ll need to see it to believe it. So, for consistency’s sake, I’m leaning toward the veteran-led home team in this clash of question marks.”
“It will be an emotional day in Indy, with the first regular-season game following the passing of owner Jim Irsay. That could be the difference for Daniel Jones and his new team.”
“The Dolphins actually complained about other teams’ physicality in scrimmages. That’s pretty soft, but hey, they have to protect Tua Tagovailoa at all costs. He throws a TD to old friend Tyreek Hill here. After scoring 13 touchdowns (on 27 catches) on go routes in 2022 and ’23, Hill had zero (on four catches) last season. The Colts allowed a whopping 33 yards per reception on go routes in 2024, second most in the NFL. The Dolphins’ rebuilt offensive and defensive lines do enough to help hand the Colts their first loss of many in the Daniel Jones era.”
“The Dolphins’ biggest issues as a team? Keeping their star players healthy and playing in cold weather. Neither of those obstacles are present in this one, as Tua Tagavailoa enters the season healthy and with his full complement of outstanding weapons. It’s easy to forget that two years ago, the Dolphins offense set the league on fire and flirted with capturing the top seed in the AFC late into the season. I’m not sure that they will replicate that level of success in 2025, but I do like them to go 1-0.”
“The Colts coaching staff chose Daniel Jones as starting quarterback, which should raise red flags. However, the move was done with purpose based on his preparation, maturity and understanding of the game.
“Shane Steichen was recently named one of the game’s best offensive play-callers, per opposing defensive coordinators. As long as Jones works within the scheme, the Colts have enough talent on offense to overcome the rebuilding Dolphins at home.”
What channel is Indianapolis Colts vs Miami Dolphins game in Week 1? How to watch Dolphins vs Colts on TV
TV: CBS, with Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Charles Davis and Jason McCourty (analysis)
Watch Colts vs. Dolphins in Week 1 on Fubo (free trial)
Where to stream, watch Miami Dolphins vs. Indianapolis Colts football game on Sept. 7? Streaming Colts vs Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium
NFL+, Paramount+, NFL Sunday Ticket and YouTube TV, Fubo
Watch the Colts with a free Fubo trial
Indianapolis Colts vs. Miami Dolphins TV coverage map: Where can I watch the Indianapolis Colts vs. Miami Dolphins in Week 1?
The Colts-Dolphins can be seen in five NFL markets: Indianapolis, Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Jacksonville and Nashville.
How to listen to Colts vs Dolphins game on radio in Week 1? Streaming Dolphins vs Colts at Lucas Oil StadiumRadio: 93.5, 97.1 and 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with Matt Taylor (play-by-play), Rick Venturi (analysis) and Larra Overton (sideline reporting)Streaming: SiriusXM Channels 227, 382 (Dolphins feed)When is Indianapolis Colts vs Miami Dolphins game in Week 1 of NFL season? Date, start time for Colts vs Dolphins football game
1 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Colts vs Dolphins tickets in Week 1? How much are Indianapolis Colts vs. Miami Dolphins tickets?
Tickets on StubHub range from $65 in the 600 level to $1,181 along the Colts’ sideline.
Check out Colts-Dolphins tickets on StubHub
Who is favored between Colts and Dolphins in Week 1? Predictions, picks, betting odds for Dolphins vs. Colts
via BetMGM
Favorite: Colts by 1 pointOver/under: 46.5 pointsMoneyline: Colts -110, Dolphins -110ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Colts a 50.7% chance of winning.NFL schedule for Week 1Thursday, Sept. 4: Cowboys at Eagles, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBCFriday, Sept. 5: Chiefs vs. Chargers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 8 p.m., YouTubeSunday, Sept. 7: Buccaneers at Falcons, 1 p.m., FoxSunday, Sept. 7: Bengals at Browns, 1 p.m., FoxSunday, Sept. 7: Dolphins at Colts, 1 p.m., CBSSunday, Sept. 7: Panthers at Jaguars, 1 p.m., FoxSunday, Sept. 7: Raiders at Patriots, 1 p.m., CBSSunday, Sept. 7: Cardinals at Saints, 1 p.m., CBSSunday, Sept. 7: Steelers at Jets, 1 p.m., CBSSunday, Sept. 7: Giants at Commanders, 1 p.m., FoxSunday, Sept. 7: Titans at Broncos, 4:05 p.m., FoxSunday, Sept. 7: 49ers at Seahawks, 4:05 p.m., FoxSunday, Sept. 7: Lions at Packers, 4:25 p.m., CBSSunday, Sept. 7: Texans at Rams, 4:25 p.m., CBSSunday, Sept. 7: Ravens at Bills, 8:20 p.m., NBCMonday, Sept. 8: Vikings at Bears, 8:15 p.m., ESPNWeek 1: Sunday, Sept. 7, vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., CBSWeek 2: Sunday, Sept. 14, vs. Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m., CBSWeek 3: Sunday, Sept. 21, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m., CBSWeek 4: Sunday, Sept. 28, at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m., FoxWeek 5: Sunday, Oct. 5, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m., FoxWeek 6: Sunday, Oct. 12, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m., FoxWeek 7: Sunday, Oct. 19, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m., CBSWeek 8: Sunday, Oct. 26, vs. Tennessee Titans, 4:25 p.m., CBSWeek 9: Sunday, Nov. 2, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m., CBSWeek 10: Sunday, Nov. 9, vs. Atlanta Falcons in Berlin, Germany, 9:30 a.m., NFL NetworkWeek 11: ByeWeek 12: Sunday, Nov. 23, at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m., CBSWeek 13: Sunday, Nov. 30, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m., CBSWeek 14: Sunday, Dec. 7, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., CBSWeek 15: Sunday, Dec. 14, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m., CBSWeek 16: Monday, Dec. 22, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN‘s “Monday Night Football”Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., FoxWeek 18: Date TBD, at Houston Texans, time TBD, TBD
Joel A. Erickson covers the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.