MIAMI –First Quarter Recap
The Dolphins won the toss and chose to defer to the second half.
The Colts first drive of Sunday would penetrate Dolphins territory before ending with a punt. For the fifth time in the past two weeks, the Colts had an offensive drive cross midfield and finish off via a punt.
With the Dolphins starting at their own four-yard line, the weapon of Pat McAfee once again struck. On a third-and-six, a stunt from undrafted rookie T.Y. McGill took down quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the end zone. The Colts led 2-0 with just under 10 minutes to play in the first quarter.
Thanks to the Miami natives, the Colts got off to a strong start. After a 22-yard completion to rookie Phillip Dorsett on a third-and-11, the Colts were back in Miami territory. They finished off the drive when Frank Gore broke a tackle, on a cut back run, for 37 yards and a touchdown. The Colts lead was 8-0 (after a missed extra point) with 6:01 left in the first quarter.
It looked like the Dolphins would get on the board late in the first quarter. Yet, on a third-and-goal, Vontae Davis (former Dolphins first-round pick in 2009) picked off Tannehill in the end zone.
At the end of the first quarter, the Colts lead the Dolphins 8-0.Second Quarter Recap
After the Colts went three-and-out, the Dolphins would get on the board. An 11-play, 69-yard drive for the Dolphins took 6:53, before Lamar Miller punched it in from a yard out on a third-and-goal. Greg Toler picked off the Dolphins two-point conversion. The Colts lead was 8-6 with 8:07 to go in the first half.
The Colts would answer the Dolphins touchdown with one of their own. On this drive, Matt Hasselbeck had to leave his fourth straight game due to a hit from Dolphins rookie Jordan Phillips. With Hasselbeck out, Charlie Whitehurst found Andre Johnson for a first-down completion and then Frank Gore ran 11 yards for a touchdown. The Colts lead was 15-6 at the 4:42 mark of the second quarter.
Miami would see their next drive reach midfield before the Colts pass rush was dialed up again. A Robert Mathis third-down sack was the third of the day for the Colts.
The Colts would run out the rest of the first-half clock.
At halftime, the Colts led the Dolphins 15-6.Third Quarter Recap
The Dolphins first drive of the second half ended in a punt and quarterback Ryan Tannehill limping to the sideline.
With Charlie Whitehurst at quarterback, the Colts went three-and-out to start the second half.
Miami would cut into the Colts lead on their next drive. Covering 64 yards in 13 plays, the Dolphins (with Tannehill still in the game) 33-yard field goal made the score 15-9 with 3:50 left in the third quarter.
The Colts third quarter would end with another punt, continuing the recent offensive struggles in second halves.
At the end of the third quarter, the Colts led the Dolphins 15-9.**
Fourth Quarter Recap**
The Dolphins began the final quarter with a three-and-out.
The Colts would pad their lead on Adam Vinatieri's 500th career field goal. A 38-yarder from Vinatieri (his 22nd straight on the season) gave the Colts an 18-9 lead with 8:30 to play.
Miami continued to keep things interesting. A nine-play, 78-yard field goal drive from the Dolphins, included some big plays to wide receiver Jarvis Landry. The score was now 18-12 after a 20-yard field goal from Andrew Franks. Leading by six, the Colts took over with a little more than five minutes remaining.
Trying to milk some clock, the Colts had to punt with just under three minutes remaining.
The Dolphins would drive one final time all the way down to the Colts five-yard line before a failed fourth-down play ended this one.
The Colts 18-12 victory over the Dolphins (5-10) kept their playoff hopes alive (for now).
The Colts (7-8) will close out the regular season next Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium with a visit from the Tennessee Titans (3-12).
Colts In-Game Injuries
QB-Matt Hasselbeck (shoulder, ruled OUT)
OG-Hugh Thornton (ankle, questionable)Colts Inactives
12-Andrew Luck
27-Winston Guy
32-Colt Anderson
39-Tay Glover-Wright
57-Josh McNary
60-Lance Louis
64-Kelcy Quarles
Colts Pre-Game Notes
-The Colts are looking to avoid their first ever four-game losing streak under Chuck Pagano.Weather Update
-Temperatures are expected to be in the 80s with sunny skies glistening down on SunLife Stadium.
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