Colts’ magic number in win over Miami: 5

Indianapolis won by six points on Sunday, but the Colts’ magic number was five. Head coach Shane Steichen said his team’s 16-10 win over Miami was the result of playing intelligent football.

“More games are lost than won in this league off mistakes,” said Steichen, whose club won its second straight game and improved to 4-3. “At the end of the day, you want to play smart football, penalty-free, turnover-free. You look around the league, that’s what it comes down to a lot of times, is playing smart. So, I was excited for the guys today.”

Steichen’s guys combined to limit those two categories to a combined five a five – they committed just four penalties and one turnover – and rolled up their sleeves in the second half to come back and beat the Dolphins (2-4).

They were especially smart in the second half, when they committed just one penalty. And they got the turnover out of the way before halftime. Down 7-0 after Tyler Huntley’s 10-yard pass to Jonnu Smith – Miami’s first touchdown pass since Week 2 – the Colts drove to the Dolphins’ 8-yard line when Anthony Richardson fumbled and the Zach Sieler recovered.

But Richardson, returning to the lineup after an oblique injury sidelined him most of the past three games, redeemed himself with a 33-yard pass to Michael Pittman that set up a Matt Gay field goal late in the second quarter. Then, Steichen leaned into Richardson the ball-carrier to erase the Dolphins’ 10-3 lead.

“My arm and my legs are a great part of this offense,” said Richardson, who led the team with 56 yards on 14 carries. “Shane dialed up the plays where I could get going. The O-line blocked certain plays where I could hit certain holes. So, I feel like just me being in the offense and just providing what I can provide, that also helped.”

What helped were Richardson’s second-half runs, one on a game-tying drive in the third quarter ending in Tyler Goodson’s first career touchdown. Richardson also had an 8-yard scramble to convert a third-and-5 in the fourth quarter on a critical field-goal drive. Gay’s kick gave the Colts a 16-10 lead with less than two minutes remaining, forcing the Dolphins to score a touchdown. The Indianapolis defense shut out Miami in the second half, holding the Dolphins to just 1-for-10 on third downs after halftime. Overall, the Colts shut down explosive Dolphins receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who combined for just two catches for 19 yards.

Afterward, Richardson said he appreciates the Colts believing in him and allowing him to play with his unique style.

“I’m here because I’m me. I think I’m one-of-one, honestly. Not many people can do what I do. A lot of people understand that.” The Colts understand that they’ll have a shot at first place in the AFC South next week when they travel to Houston (5-2). The Texans lost at Green Bay on Sunday and lead Indianapolis by only one game. Miami, meanwhile, may return Tua Tagovailoa from injured reserve after a Week 2 concussion. The Dolphins are at Arizona next week.