Colts Look to End Opening-Day Drought as Dolphins Swim Into Indy

The Indianapolis Colts are kicking off the 2025 season with a mix of anticipation and determination, knowing the weight of history is stacked against them. Eleven straight Week 1 losses have left Colts Nation hungry for a change, and this Sunday’s showdown with the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium offers a prime opportunity to flip the script.

The Horseshoes will trot out Daniel Jones as their eighth different Week 1 starting quarterback in the past nine seasons, with Jones winning the preseason competition over Anthony Richardson. Jones, a veteran passer, brings a steady hand to an offense built around star running back Jonathan Taylor, a healthy offensive line, and emerging pass catchers who will need to fire on all cylinders to shake off the season-opening curse.

The Colts aren’t just playing for a win — they’re playing in memory of late owner Jim Irsay, whose name will be added to the team’s Ring of Honor. Expect emotions to run high, with his three daughters now steering the franchise forward and the roster eager to honor his legacy on the field.

Defensively, Indy looks revamped. With additions like Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum in the secondary and the return of sack artist Samson Ebukam, the Colts hope to corral Miami’s dangerous speedsters — Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle — and keep the scoreboard manageable. Hill, coming off an oblique injury, says he feels ready, giving the Dolphins plenty of firepower alongside quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

The key? Staying disciplined. Last year, penalties and slow starts often bucked the Colts out of games before they found their footing. With Lou Anarumo calling the shots as the new defensive coordinator, the team is aiming to set the tone early. Fans know the script: Indy hasn’t galloped out of the gates in more than a decade, but a packed Lucas Oil Stadium and the memory of Irsay might be enough to spur a long-overdue Week 1 victory.