Dolphins vs. Colts: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread, Radio, Game Time and More

Anyone who predicted that the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts would both enter this game with winning records and be in the midst of winning streaks at this point in the season is either lying or they are Miss Cleo.

These teams have enjoyed surprising success despite being tipped to be among the NFL’s basement-dwellers this season. Both the Dolphins and the Colts are currently 4-3 and in second place in their respective divisions.

Miami has won its last three games and is coming off a blowout victory over the New York Jets. The Colts’ Vick Ballard made a spectacular play in overtime to give his team its second straight victory, and they will try to keep rolling at home this weekend.

Here is everything you need to know about the matchup.

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.

When: Sunday, November 4, 1 p.m. ET 

Watch: CBS 

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL Audio Pass    

Listen: WFNI AM1070, WLHK FM 97.1, Sirius 128 (Indianapolis), Sirius 134 (Miami)

Spread: Dolphins -2.5 (according to Sports Book)

Dolphins Injuries (via ESPN, as of Oct. 31)

QB Ryan Tannehill— Questionable—Quad/Knee

CB Richard Marshall— Questionable—Back

Colts Injuries (via ESPN, as of Oct. 31)

LB Robert Mathis— Questionable—Knee

DE Fili Moala—Questionable—Knee

CB Darius Butler—Questionable—Shoulder

CB Vontae Davis—Questionable—Knee

What’s At Stake

While the Colts likely will not be able to catch the Houston Texans in their division, the Dolphins are hanging with the New England Patriots in the AFC East.

These two teams are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos for the fourth-best record in the AFC, and they are still very much in the playoff hunt. Andy Dalton led the Cincinnati Bengals to a surprising postseason berth as a rookie, and now Andrew Luck and Ryan Tannehill (if he plays) must not falter in winnable games such as this one if they hope to follow in the Red Rifle’s footsteps.

Fantasy Impact 

The fantasy stars to monitor on the Dolphins are both running backs. Whether or not Tannehill is able to play, the team will fall back on the running game to either protect the rookie’s health or to keep Matt Moore from making mistakes. Both Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas will see the ball often and will post impressive numbers. 

For the Colts, Reggie Wayne is still the fantasy ace. He leads the NFL in both targets and receiving yards, making him one of the most reliable players in the league. Luck will continue to lean on Wayne in the passing game, and the veteran wideout’s fantasy stats will benefit from that.

Dolphins Player to Watch: Randy Starks, Defensive Tackle 

Miami has won games through its defense, and more specifically, its run defense. The team ranks third in the league in rushing yards allowed, and defensive tackles Randy Starks and Paul Soliai are the reason for its success.

Both big men play the run extremely well, but Starks also gets involved in the pass rush and has 3.5 sacks this season. Expect him to cause the Colts offensive line problems on every down in this game.

Colts Player to Watch: Andrew Luck, Quarterback

As every week passes, this class of rookie quarterbacks looks more impressive. Andrew Luck was the most-hyped of the bunch heading into the season, and he has lived up to expectations in some games, while falling short in others.

This type of inconsistency is expected from a first-year player, but Indianapolis will need Luck to play well this weekend to get a victory. If he gets comfortable early and has one of his better performances, the Colts will win. If he is erratic, the team will be in trouble.

What They’re Saying

The Miami Herald’s Armando Salguero writes that “cautious optimism” is the prevailing sentiment in the Dolphins’ locker room right now. 

"

The Dolphins are 4-3 now. That doesn't mean they are going to the playoffs. The truth is when I speak privately to folks within the organization there is very cautious optimism about the team. I stress cautious. The things they are hoping and saying privately, they are not willing to say on the record until we see more because they don't want to be proven wrong.

"

The Indianapolis Star’s Mike Chappell reports that Colts head coach Chuck Pagano—who was diagnosed with a treatable form of leukemia earlier this season—unexpectedly visited the team’s facility, and his presence was extremely uplifting for members across the organization.

"

Word filtered throughout the building that the head coach temporarily was back and sitting in on Arians’ meeting with the other assistant coaches. Several players—Cory Redding, Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, Drake Nevis among them—hustled back to see him,” according to Arians. “You can’t imagine the lift (the visit) gave us.”

"

Key Matchup: Andrew Luck vs. the Dolphins Secondary

While the Miami rush defense has been superb this season, its secondary has not stepped up in the same way and currently ranks 27th in passing yardage allowed. The Colts have the 10th-most pass attempts this season and the ninth-most yardage through the air.

If Luck can take full advantage of this matchup, which certainly favors Indianapolis, then the Colts have an excellent chance to improve to 5-3. But if the Dolphins defensive backs can make a few big plays, they will be the ones who better their record.

Prediction: Indianapolis 27, Miami 21

Luck will be productive in this game and will limit his mistakes while leading the Colts to victory.