Miami Dolphins @ Indianapolis Colts
Final Score: Colts 16 – Dolphins 10
Writer: Steven Pintado (@coachstevenp)
This game between the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts was a rough game to watch. Both teams focused on running the ball and playing elite defense. The Miami Dolphins struggled to push the ball in the air, with two inadequate quarterbacks barely throwing the ball. Miami’s backfield had two key turnovers, which were the deciding factor of this game. For the Colts, it was a complete 180 with Anthony Richardson back at quarterback. The passing game was terrible, and the team leaned on Richardson on the ground as he led the team in carries. The Colts’ defense won this game for the team. with two key takeaways that led to points.
Three Up
- Jonnu Smith – Jonnu Smith had a big fantasy and was the most productive player on both sides of the ball.
- Tyler Goodson – Tyler Goodson flashed in this game and looked like the better player to back up Jonathan Taylor.
- De’Von Achane – It was good to see De’Von Achane back on the field and leading the Dolphins again in carries.
Three Down
- Josh Downs – Josh Downs has yet to play well with Richardson in an entire game and ended his day with three targets.
- Anthony Richardson – It was nice to see Richardson play a full game, but his passing numbers were horrible in this game.
- Trey Sermon – Trey Sermon was supposed to come in and dominate in this favorable matchup but was outshined by Goodson.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tyler Huntley: 7/13, 87 yards passing, TD | 5 carries, 20 yards rushing
Tyler Huntley would play decently through three-quarters of this game. He suffered an injury trying to throw the ball away on a tackle, which he didn’t need to do. The Dolphins made the offense to his ability with short throws, and he could extend plays with his legs. He barely made many throws downfield, as most were short or over the middle. The rumors of Tua Tagovailoa returning next week will put away any fantasy value for Huntley.
Tim Boyle : 8/13, 74 yards passing, TD | 1 carry, 5 yards rushing
Tim Boyle played in relief for Huntley, who left due to injury. Boyle was worse than Huntley after reading the field and making the throws. He did get a few targets to the team’s stud receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, late in the game. His final throw for the game was a huge question mark on what he was trying to do. Thankfully, you won’t have to worry about Boyle in fantasy.
Running Back
De’Von Achane: 15 carries, 77 yards rushing | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 8 yards receiving
De’Von Achane’s return to the lineup after his concussion in Week 5 was great to see. Achane is the starter in this backfield, and he led the way in touches in this game. He had a lot of great runs of 10 yards and was the bright spot of the Dolphins’ offense. Unfortunately, the few times the Dolphins were by the red zone, it was not Achane’s drive. He was playing on the game’s final drive, showing his importance in the offense. He will still have an RB1 upside moving forward, especially if Tagovailoa returns soon.
Raheem Mostert: 11 carries, 50 yards rushing, FUM
The Dolphins want to continue using two running backs in their offense. Raheem Mostert did get plenty of work in this game and looked good. He showed the speed and explosiveness he has as a runner. His one mistake was the fumble in the third quarter, but it seems like it got him benched for a few drives. He still has an RB3 upside due to his ability to break a big run in this Dolphins offense.
Jaylen Wright: 5 carries, 33 yards rushing
The rookie Jaylen Wright did not get much work with Achane back in the lineup. He didn’t touch the ball until the third quarter after Mostert fumbled the ball. Wright looked great on his few touches in this game. He showed off his vision, finding the holes in the defense. Wright needs more work in this Dolphins offense, but it won’t come unless the top two guys suffer an injury.
Alec Ingold: 2 carries, -1 yards rushing, FUM | 1 target, 1 reception, 25 yards receiving
The fullback Alex Ingold gets used occasionally in the Dolphins offense. He had a great running back wheel route for a big play in the third quarter of this game. He did have a costly fumble in the third quarter.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tyreek Hill: 2 targets, 1 reception, 8 yards receiving | 1 carry 5 yards
It’s tough to be a Hill manager in fantasy, but he had another terrible performance. It’s mostly not his fault, either. He had been open for many plays in this game, but his quarterbacks could not get him the ball. His first catch was in the fourth quarter, but it had minimal usage today. His other target in this game was a deep ball from Huntley that Hill could not track. If he did, he would have a potential 50-yard catch in this game. It could have changed the game since a few plays later led to a Mostert fumble. Hill’s value should return to WR1 stats when Tagovailoa returns, but until then, he is a risky FLEX.
Jaylen Waddle: 2 targets, 1 reception, 11 yards receiving
Just like Hill, Jaylen Waddle has suffered without Tagovailoa in the offense. He did not get his first target until the fourth quarter, either. The Colts’ secondary seemed to force the offense to play short and cover anything deep. Waddle went deep often, which phased him out of this game. His value should return at WR2 when Tagovailoa returns, but until then, he is not startable.
Jonnu Smith: 7 targets, 7 receptions 96 yards receiving, TD
The best player on the Dolphins’ offense today was Smith. Since the Colts forced the Dolphins to throw short, Smith took advantage over the middle of the field. He could find the soft coverage in the zone defense and thrived. He was the trusted target for both quarterbacks in this game. His touchdown was off a screenplay in which Smith was able to knock down a defender, making his way to score. Hopefully, Smtih can continue to be a streamable tight end when Tagovailoa returns to the lineup.
Malik Washington: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 9 yards receiving
The rookie Malik Washington didn’t do much in this game. He had a few catches, one of which was during the game’s final drive. He is a fast, speedy player, but he won’t be relevant in fantasy any time soon.
Odell Beckham Jr. : 2 targets
Odell Beckham Jr. played his second game as a Dolphin. His targets were both bad passes from his quarterbacks. He does not have any value right now.
Julian Hill : 2 targets, 1 reception, 4 yards receiving
Tight end Julian Hill doesn’t have much value in fantasy. He doesn’t see enough targets.
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Anthony Richardson: 10/24, 129 yards passing | 14 carries, 56 yards rushing
Richardson returned to the field on Sunday after missing the last few games and showed us he is not ready to be a starting quarterback yet. Yes, Richardson is a great athlete who led the team in carries. He helped extend plays with his feet and had design runs set up for him. As a passer, I found it challenging to watch on the field. Most of his throws were terrible to watch. He was wildly inaccurate and threw the ball in bad spots. The one good thing for Richardson is that he did not force many situations for him to get tackled in this game. He would slide often to avoid getting hit. Richardson is not a QB1 in fantasy that many thought prior to the season.
Running Back
Trey Sermon: 8 carries, 36 yards rushing | 1 target, 1 reception, 13 yards
Sermon was pretty average in this game. He would lose touches to Goodson, who looked better. Sermon would not look explosive but only best as a short-area runner. He had a few decent runs in the fourth quarter, which helped his total yardage. His one reception was a trick play that had him wide open down the field. As long as Taylor is out, it’s hard to trust Sermon to be a good RB2 for your fantasy lineup. He is a risky FLEX at best.
Tyler Goodson: 14 carries, 51 yards rushing, TD
The better running back today was Goodson, who outshined Sermon in this game with more explosive runs. Goodson was at his best when he could get outside and up the field. He was used on inside runs, but the results were not as good. Goodson may be better for the Colts as long as Taylor is out. He too, is a risky FLEX at best.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Michael Pittman Jr.: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 63 yards receiving
Star receiver Michael Pittman Jr. had his best game of the year with Anthony Richardson as a quarterback. Two of Pittman’s targets were throws that Richardson actually threw well on. Pittman was able to gain some yards after the catch on his catches. His upside is limited with Richardson as a quarterback. It was good to see for Pittman managers that he led the team in targets and yards. He continues to be a WR3 in fantasy.
Josh Downs: 3 targets, 1 reception, 3 yards
The Josh Downs managers are hating themselves right now. Downs had a poor game with minimal targets. His only catch was out of the backfield on a dump-off by the sideline. It is a fun fact that Downs never reached six fantasy points when Richardson played a full game. Hopefully, he can bounce back, but it is concerning moving forward.
https://www.twitter.com/MikeClayNFL/status/1848093414581243959
Adonai Mitchell: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 30 yards
Rookie Adonai Mitchell had a few solid catches in this game. He showed off his skill set to make impressive catches with a sliding catch. The Colts need to find a way to get him the ball more, but it unlikely was the receiving group that they already had. He isn’t someone to consider in lineups at this time.
Alec Pierce: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 15 yards receiving
Alec Pierce didn’t have the deep bomb target he had been getting with Richardson in this game. His two catches were short screens. He was able to gain yards after the catch. He did have one target that he almost scored on, but it was called back on a penalty. Pierce continues to be a boom-or-bust flex spot with Richardson at quarterback.
Ashton Dulin: 1 carry, 12 yards rushing
Ashton Dulin did not see any targets in this game. His role is mostly on special teams when the team has four healthy receivers ahead of him. He is a trick play player in this offense.
Will Mallory : 1 target, 1 reception , 5 yards receiving
Moe Alie-Cox : 1 target
Kylen Granson : 2 targets
Drew Ogletree : 1 target
The Colts tight end group has been a carousel this season. Unfortunately, this group returns to being irrelevant for fantasy without Joe Flacco at quarterback.