It's no secret. What the Indianapolis Colts did to the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 was a butt-kicking of epic proportions. There wasn't a moment in the game where the Dolphins felt like a threat to Daniel Jones and Co. Fans knew it even when the game was only half over, but just how bad of a thrashing did the Colts dole out?
According to Colts reporter Stephen Holder, ESPN research found that it was of historic significance. The Colts became the first NFL team since 1977 to score on every one of their seven offensive drives. Even the Dolphins themselves, who put up a 70-point performance against the Denver Broncos just two years ago, never reached heights like these.
The Dolphins might be a bad team, but there have been many bad teams throughout the NFL's storied history. Since 1977, there have been three teams to have gone winless in an NFL season, with those being the 2017 Browns, 2008 Lions, and the 1982 Baltimore Colts (in a strike-shortened year).
The Indianapolis Colts' performance in Week 1 is the most efficient of the century
Not even against any of those teams was an offensive performance put up that rivaled what the Colts put on the field in Week 1.
When head coach Shane Steichen named Daniel Jones the starter at quarterback for the 2025 NFL season, he was met with lots of vitriol from fans. Many thought that former fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson still deserved the chance to go out on the field. It may end up being the right or wrong choice, and we can't fully know until the season is over.
Just a ridiculous stat from our friends at ESPN Research:
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) September 7, 2025
The Colts scored on all seven of their possessions today, becoming the first team since 1977 to accomplish this feat.
However, answer this question Colts fans:
If Anthony Richardson was on the field against the Dolphins, would they have had as successful of a day as they did with Jones?
This is a hypothetical, and by nature, we can't know the answer for a fact. Still, if anyone who's watched Richardson play the past two years answered that question, in their heart of hearts, it would be hard to say yes. In just one week, Shane Steichen might have proved that he made the right choice at quarterback.
Again, the Dolphins are a terrible football team, and we have to keep perspective. This is a 17-game season, and only one game has actually been played. However, the game that was played was pure Colt domination that hasn't been seen since the days of Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning. It may turn out to be just a mirage, but the purpose of being a fan is to have fun.
For now, have fun, Indianapolis Colts fans, and revel in not only breaking an 11-year-old curse but putting up a performance that hasn't been rivaled in nearly 50 years. It may not last, but this weekend can't be said to be anything but a pure, unadulterated victory.