Colts dominate Dolphins for first week 1 win since 2013

INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts honored late owner Jim Irsay the best way they could — with a win.

They dominated the Miami Dolphins, 33-8, in the season-opener Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium. The win is their first in week 1 since quarterback Andrew Luck led them to victory against the Oakland Raiders in 2013.

The Colts were in control from the start scoring on the first possession of the game. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren showed right away why the team used the 13th pick on him in April’s draft, catching three passes for 43 yards. Kicker Spencer Shrader made a 24-yard field goal for the first points of the game.

Offseason free agent signing Cam Bynum also paid instant dividends as the safety picked off Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones then authored a 14-play, 84-yard drive, capped by his first touchdown pass with the Colts, a 27-yard strike to wideout Michael Pittman Jr. to make the game 10-0.

The defense delivered the next possession too as Kenny Moore strip-sacked Tagovailoa and Xavien Howard recovered. The Colts turned the takeaway into points five plays later as Jones scored from a yard out.

Shrader added a 35-yard field goal late in the half to send the Colts to the locker room with a 20-0 advantage.

The Colts’ defense started the second half with another takeaway as pass rusher Laiatu Latu intercepted Tagovailoa. The offense once again turned the Miami miscue into points with a Shrader 28-yard field goal to push the lead to 23-0.

After the Dolphins turned the ball over on downs, the Colts used up over nine minutes of clock on a 15-play, 69-yard drive. Jones scored his second touchdown to put them up 30-0.

Shrader added a 48-yard field goal to provide the final margin.

Jones was solid in his first start with the Colts, going 22-of-29 for 272 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

The Colts inducted Irsay, who passed away in May, into the franchise’s Ring of Honor in a halftime ceremony. Irsay’s daughter, Carlie, the team’s new owner and chief executive officer, spoke along with Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning.

The Colts will aim to go 2-0 for the first time since 2009 when they host the Denver Broncos next week at 4:05 p.m.