In a striking display of dominance, the Indianapolis Colts marched into Week 1 with a commanding 20-0 lead over the Miami Dolphins at halftime, not having secured a win in this week since 2013.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's struggles were pivotal, as he handed the Colts two crucial turnovers. With Indy already ahead 3-0, Tagovailoa attempted a risky pass to Tyreek Hill, only to be intercepted by Cam Bynum. The Colts wasted no time capitalizing, as Daniel Jones connected with Michael Pittman for a 27-yard touchdown, extending their lead.

Miami’s woes continued when Tagovailoa was strip-sacked by cornerback Kenny Moore, with former Dolphin Xavien Howard scooping up the loose ball. This led to a one-yard rushing touchdown by Jones, further pushing the Colts' advantage to 17-0.

The first half was a struggle for the Dolphins, who failed to establish any offensive rhythm, largely due to the Colts' defensive pressure and the turnovers. While Indianapolis enjoyed a staggering time of possession—21:40 compared to Miami's 8:20—they racked up 17 first downs and amassed impressive yardage.

In stark contrast, Miami could only conjure 43 yards and three first downs. Tagovailoa ended the half with a lackluster 5-of-7 for 42 yards and one interception, with Hill catching two passes for 15 yards.

Meanwhile, Colts' Daniel Jones shone brightly, completing 17 of 22 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown, while also contributing on the ground with a rushing touchdown. Jonathan Taylor held his ground with 52 yards on 15 carries, and Pittman led the receiving corps with 60 yards on four catches, including a touchdown. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren made his mark with five receptions for 57 yards, demonstrating his growing importance in the game.

The injury bug struck Miami when cornerback Storm Duck was carted off with an ankle injury midway through the second quarter, raising concerns about his return. Adding to Miami's troubles, right guard James Daniels was also sidelined with a pectoral injury.

As the teams gear up for the second half, all eyes are on whether the Dolphins can rebound from a torrid first half and overcome their mounting setbacks.