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The MIami Dolphins had no answers today as Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts tore them apart through the air. The final score was 23-20, but it should not have been that close. Luck set the rookie record for passing yards in a game, surpassing Cam Newton's 432 yards last year by one yard.
The only thing that kept the Dolphins in the game was Ryan Tannehill's right arm. The Dolphins own rookie quarterback three for 290 yards on 22-for-38 passing, finding the endzone once, and ending the game with a 90.9 passer rating.
Miami simply had no answer for Luck on the day, especially on third down, when the Colts were 13-for-19 on conversions. The Colts took it to the Dolphins secondary, and no one was ready to respond.
Sean Smith clearly had his worst day of the season, while Nolan Carroll and Jimmy WIlson both struggled as well. Carroll ended up leading the team in tackles, with 10, but that's because he allowed completions that he was then making the tackle to stop. It was an ugly day for the secondary.
However, that's what we have all already known. The Dolphins rushing defense stepped up for most of the game, holding the Colts below 100 yards rushing and keeping any player from reaching the 100 yards rushing mark for the 22nd straight game, but the secondary that came into the game with questions was exposed today. The team had multiple interceptions that they dropped and were being beaten routinely throughout the game.
The pass rush was nearly non-existant, which did not assist the secondary at all. While Cameron Wake did tally a sack, his fifth straight game getting to the quarterback, any other time someone got close to Luck, he would simply step out of the way and complete the pass. Even when he was being tackled, Luck would find someway to complete the ball.
Looking forward to next week, the Dolphins will face the Tennessee Titans. Miami had a chance to tie the New England Patriots for the AFC East lead today, but instead fall to a game back. The team still plays New England twice this year, but will have to clean up their pass defense is they want to have any chance against Tom Brady.