5 predictions for the Dolphins’ Week 1 battle against the Colts

The Miami Dolphins’ Week 1 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts is a mere stone’s throw away, as the two teams will do battle at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 7.

Ahead of the contest, let’s make five predictions about the Dolphins’ opening game of the 2025 season as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will look to improve his Week 1 record to 5-0 in his career.

1. Tyreek Hill racks up more yards than he did in any game last season

Hill has been dealing with an oblique injury as of late, but the expectation is that he will be good to go against the Colts on Sunday. Expect him to play with a chip on his shoulder against Indianapolis in light of how out of sorts he looked for much of the 2024 season.

The 31-year-old didn’t total more than 130 receiving yards in any of the 17 games he played in last season and had some truly rough outings, but he will look like his old dominant self to kick off the new season against a Colts defense that needs to prove itself. He will end up with 140 receiving yards and also come up with a pair of receiving touchdowns.

Hill’s showing against the Colts will prove to be a harbinger of things to come in his fourth season as a Dolphin.

2. Miami’s defense gives up a whopping 30 points to the Colts

With all of the important members of Miami’s defensive unit from a season ago who either have departed or are sidelined due to injury, the team will struggle mightily to get stops to begin the new season, even against a Colts team that has questions offensively.

The Dolphins will give up 14 points in the first quarter alone and 30 in the game. Running back Jonathan Taylor will light up Miami for more than 120 yards on the ground, and tight end and 2025 first-round pick Tyler Warren will shine in his pro debut.

After the game, fans of the Dolphins will worry about how the team’s defensive unit will be able to hold up over the course of a 17-game schedule, and some will clamor for Miami to make a trade or two in order to improve on that side of the ball.

3. Darren Waller makes little impact in his Dolphins debut

The tight end has been hyped up by some as a strong replacement for Jonnu Smith, who got moved to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a trade during the offseason. However, Waller is coming out of retirement to play for the Dolphins after he last suited up for the New York Giants in the 2023 campaign, and it will take more than one game for him to regain his rhythm out there on the field.

In his first NFL game in quite some time, Waller will have a quiet performance and show some rust. He’ll finish with 25 receiving yards on two receptions and four pass targets.

Waller will still put together a strong 2025 season in a Dolphins uniform, but his stint with the team won’t get off to all that auspicious of a start.

4. Tua Tagovailoa throws for more than 300 yards

An important year for Tagovailoa in Miami seems to be looming, and with motivation running high, he will go out and enjoy a standout performance in his opening start of the season.

He’ll throw for 320 yards and three passing touchdowns against the Colts. It will be a surgical performance, as he’ll complete all but three of his 25 passing attempts and won’t turn the ball over. He’ll remain perfect in Week 1 starts in his NFL career.

5. The Dolphins win a high-scoring game by a final score of 33-30

Even with Miami’s defensive unit leaving a lot to be desired in the matchup, the Dolphins will still manage to come out on top in the contest behind big games from Tagovailoa and Hill and get off to an undefeated start to the season.

The Dolphins will then try to carry over their momentum from their Week 1 victory into their game against the New England Patriots on Sept. 14.