Where: Lucas Oil Field, Indianapolis, Ind. (turf)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Miami by 1.
Records -- Dolphins (4-3, AFC East: 1-1); Colts (4-3, AFC South: 1-1)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 21, 2009: Colts 27, Dolphins 23; Dec. 31, 2006: Colts 27, Dolphins 22. Series record: Dolphins lead 46-24.
What matters: It’s not too early to start talking about the playoffs. The teams have identical records and each has two AFC losses. This is a big game for positioning as both wildcard slots appear to be wide open in a down year for the conference. A victory gives the winner an inside track to the playoffs.
Who matters: Dolphins rookie QB Ryan Tannehill has had his knee drained twice since getting injured early in a win over the Jets last week. If he can’t go, expect QB Matt Moore to shoulder the load. Moore, who started 12 games last season, was 11 of 19 for 131 yards and a touchdown against the Jets. DE Cameron Wake continues to terrorize opposing quarterbacks and was named AFC defensive player of the week. The former Penn State standout has 7.5 sacks the past four games and has been stout against the run with 23 tackles this season.
Key matchups: CB Sean Smith is the team’s top cover man and will have his hands full against Colts star WR Reggie Wayne. Smith has 30 tackles, two interceptions and 10 passes defended and played well against Bengals WR A.J. Green and Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald. Wayne is regaining his Pro Bowl form with 54 catches for 757 yards and two touchdowns.
Injuries of note: CB Richard Marshall (back), DT Tony McDaniel (knee) and WR Jabar Gaffney (non-football) missed practice Thursday, and LB Karlos Dansby (bicep), WRBrian Hartline (groin), C Mike Pouncey (Achilles) and QB Tannehill (left knee) were limited.
Inside stuff: CB Jimmy Wilson is emerging as a playmaker. He went from buried on the depth chart at safety in the preseason to starting at nickelback. Wilson had a sack, blocked a punt and broke up a pass on a two-point conversion against the Jets last week. His next step is consistency.
Stat you should know: 5. Consecutive games for Dolphins RB Reggie Bush with fewer than 73 yards of total offense. Bush hasn’t scored since Oct. 7 against Cincinnati.
Looking ahead: The Dolphins could stake their claim as a playoff contender with a fourth-straight win. Upcoming games against the Titans and Bills are winnable. With the AFC struggling, a healthy and improving Miami team could be poised to make a playoff run. A loss would drop the team to .500 and could quickly derail its momentum. The next few weeks are key for the Dolphins.
Prediction: Dolphins 20, Colts 17
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Miami Dolphins from blogger Dave Carey, follow @CBSDolphins
