Horseshoes stampede: Colts flatten Dolphins, break the Week-1 curse

Indianapolis 33, Miami 8 — NFL

New play-caller vibes, same Lucas Oil echo: touchdown. The Colts detonated their 11-year Week-1 hex by scoring on all seven offensive possessions—something no NFL team had done in at least 47 seasons—and they did it with a balanced gallop.

Daniel Jones ran two 1-yard QB sneaks, threaded a TD to Michael Pittman Jr., and finished 22-of-29 for 272 (no turnovers). Rookie TE Tyler Warren looked Sunday-ready (7 for 76 and a chain-moving jet sweep), while Jonathan Taylor churned out 71 yards to salt away clock.

Defensively, Lou Anarumo’s horses corralled the cheetahs: Miami had 43 first-half yards and needed a late De’Von Achane screen on fourth-and-goal to dodge a shutout. Cam Bynum nabbed a pick, Xavien Howard scooped a fumble against his former club, and the rush made Tua Tagovailoa’s pocket a phone booth (14-for-23, 114 yards, 2 INT, lost fumble). On a day Indy inducted the late Jim Irsay into the Ring of Honor, the Horseshoes thundered out of the barn at 1–0.