Daniel Jones rushes for two TDs as Colts rout Dolphins 33-8 in season opener
Jones completed 22 of 29 passes and scored twice on QB sneaks in Indianapolis' dominant home debut; Dolphins managed one late touchdown
INDIANAPOLIS — Daniel Jones rushed for two touchdowns and threw a scoring pass as the Indianapolis Colts opened the 2025 NFL season with a 33-8 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Jones completed 22 of 29 passes for 272 yards and a 27-yard touchdown to Michael Pittman Jr., and he capped two short-yardage drives with quarterback sneaks for his first rushing scores as the Colts’ starting quarterback. Indianapolis built a 20-0 halftime lead, extended it to 30-0 in the fourth quarter and allowed the Dolphins only a late touchdown on an 11-yard swing pass from Tua Tagovailoa to De’Von Achane.
The Colts' defense forced two turnovers by Miami — an interception and a fumble — that resulted in Indianapolis touchdowns. Jones took advantage of favorable field position after the turnovers and helped convert those opportunities into points, including the 27-yard strike to Pittman that made it 10-0 early in the second quarter.
Indianapolis drained more than nine minutes off the clock to begin the fourth quarter on a 15-play drive that ended when Jones powered into the end zone on a quarterback sneak, stretching the lead to 30-0 and prompting a raucous response from the home crowd during a game that also included a tribute to late owner Jim Irsay.
Rookie tight end Ty Warren was active in his NFL debut, catching seven passes for 76 yards, while Pittman led the Colts with six receptions for 80 yards. Running back Jonathan Taylor added 71 rushing yards and 27 receiving yards as Indianapolis mixed efficient rushing and timely passing to control the tempo.
Tagovailoa completed 14 of 23 passes for 114 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions and was sacked three times. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill had four catches for 40 yards in the loss. Miami coach Mike McDaniel’s offense struggled to sustain drives against a Colts defense that frequently disrupted timing and pressured the quarterback.
The starting quarterback job in Indianapolis had been a focal point of the offseason, with Jones and Anthony Richardson competing for the role. Head coach Shane Steichen named Jones the Week 1 starter and indicated confidence in the decision by giving Jones extended opportunities. The quarterback competition had drawn public attention in recent weeks, including remarks from Richardson’s agent questioning the club’s handling of the decision.
The Colts’ balanced attack and opportunistic defense combined to produce a one-sided opening performance, while the Dolphins will look to regroup after a sluggish start to their season. Indianapolis will aim to build on the win in its next outing; Miami will seek offensive adjustments as it prepares to play again next week.
