Colts Game Previews: Week 12 vs Dolphins

Did you know that the Colts have won both of their Super Bowls in Miami? The Colts have played in four Super Bowls and all four took place in Miami (3, 5, 41, 44). You are probably asking yourself when the next Super Bowl in Miami is so you can get your “Colts Super Bowl Champions” tattoo and look like a genius. Well, that would be Super LIV in 2020. Colts are winning the Super Bowl in 2020. Book it. Alright, before we worry about the Super Bowl in Miami, let’s worry about taking care of Miami this week. Despite their 5-5 record, the Dolphins are far from a good football team. They get their quarterback back, sure, but how much better is Ryan Tannehill than Brock Osweiler? Despite their talent deficiencies, the Dolphins are a tough and scrappy team who could give a red-hot Colts team some trouble.

Injury Report

Colts

Out

TE Mo Alie-Cox (Calf)

TE Ryan Hewitt (Ankle)

C Ryan Kelly (Knee)

TE Erik Swoope (Knee)

Also Listed

S Clayton Geathers (Knee)

T/G Denzelle Good (Not Injury Related)

CB Nate Hairston (Ankle)

S Malik Hooker (Hip)

DT Margus Hunt (Knee)

LB Darius Leonard (Hamstring)

CB Kenny Moore (Back)

DT Al Woods (Illness)

Miami Dolphins

Out

WR Jakeem Grant (Achilles)

Questionable

WR Danny Amendola (Hamstring)

TE A.J. Derby (Foot/Knee)

DT Davin Godchaux (Shin)

OT Ja’Waun James (Knee)

C/G Ted Larsen (Neck)

S T.J. McDonald (Knee)

Also listed

OLB Stephone Anthony (Quadricep)

DE Andre Branch (Shoulder)

OT Jesse Davis (Elbow)

RB Kenyan Drake (Shoulder)

RB Frank Gore (Not Injury Related)

DE Charles Harris (Calf)

Key Matchups

Colts’ Edge Rush vs Dolphins’ Offensive Tackles

Ryan Tannehill is making his return to the football field on Sunday. Making his life as easy as possible will be vital for the Dolphins’ success. The Dolphins feature two young, promising tackles in Laremy Tunsil and Ja’Waun James. The Dolphins are in the middle of the pack (16th ranked) in terms of sacks given up per game at 2.7. Those tackles will need to step up and protect Ryan Tannehill to give him time to make decisions.

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Last week, the Colts’ pass rush came out of hibernation, sacking Marcus Mariota five times. Jabaal Sheard had 1.5 sacks and Kemoko Turay had one. The rookie defensive line duo of Kemoko Turay and Tyquan Lewis has been great over the last two games, getting around the edge and creating pressure. The Colts’ young, exciting defensive end will have to keep the Phins’ tackles on their heels to control the game on the defensive side of the ball.

Colts’ Pass Catchers vs Dolphins’ Secondary

Partly due to Andrew Luck, Frank Reich’s system, the offensive line’s proficiency, and their own improvement, the Colts’ receivers and tight ends have elevated their performance in recent weeks. The Colts feature a deep and versatile group of backs, receivers, and tight ends that have an answer for every defense. T.Y. Hilton bends the defense with his speed, Jack Doyle catches everything, and Nyheim Hines is a problem out of the backfield when he is focused. Even when Eric Ebron doesn’t net a target, the Colts can still score 38 on the NFL’s top scoring defense.

The Dolphins’ defense is young, fun, and electric and their secondary is at the helm of the ship. Xavien Howard is a solid young corner, Reshad Jones and T.J. McDonald are a good safety duo, and rookie Minkah Fitzpatrick can play every secondary position. Fitzpatrick is a lethal weapon that the Dolphins could use to counter some of the mismatches the Colts employ on offense. If the Dolphins want a chance, they have to keep the Colts’ passing game in check and the secondary will need to be on their game.

Prediction

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Dolphins play scrappy and keep this game closer than many expect. However, nobody is getting in the Colts way on this Sunday.

36-29 Colts

Ben Pfeifer is the Managing Editor of the Colts for Full Press Coverage, the AFC South Division Editor, and head NBA editor. Want to continue the discussion? Contact Ben Pfeifer on Twitter @Ben_Pfeifer_, @FPC_NBA and @FPC_Colts.