Dolphins Start Kyle McCord in NFL Debut Against Colts as Both Struggle
The struggling Miami Dolphins, 1-7, visit the Indianapolis Colts, 2-7, on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Both teams sit near the top of the 2027 NFL Draft order. Miami starts Kyle McCord in his NFL debut, and FanDuel Sportsbook favors the Colts.
The Miami Dolphins, 1-7, travel to Indiana to play the Indianapolis Colts, 2-7, on Sunday, November 15, 2026, in a Dolphins vs Colts game between two of the NFL's weakest teams. Both are in contention for the first overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
NBC Sports research shows Miami ranks 31st in scoring offense at 15.8 points per game. The Dolphins are 28th in total offense at 282.3 yards per game. They have been held to 13 or fewer points in five games this season, the most in the league.
Quarterback change in Miami
Kyle McCord starts at quarterback for Miami because Malik Willis is on injured reserve. McCord was a sixth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025 and spent the whole season on the practice squad. Sunday is his NFL debut.
Willis has a groin injury that is expected to keep him out for a few weeks. Season-ending surgery has not been completely ruled out. Defensive tackle Zach Sieler also went on injured reserve after rupturing a biceps muscle in Week 9 against the Detroit Lions. He will need several months of rehab following surgery.
Miami did not trade anyone at the deadline. The offense is built around the run, with Ollie Gordon II as the feature back. Gordon has averaged 83 yards per game since becoming the starter in Week 4, which would rank seventh in the league.
Colts in a slump
Indianapolis has lost five straight after a 2-2 start. Since Week 12 of the 2025 season, the Colts are 2-14, the worst record in the league over that span.
The Colts made several trades before the deadline on Tuesday, sending veterans elsewhere in exchange for draft picks. They are fourth in the draft order but do not hold their own first-round pick. They traded it to the New York Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner last year.
The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-8 and hold the top spot. The 1-7 Tennessee Titans are second, and Miami is third.
What the odds say
FanDuel Sportsbook favors the Colts, who are laying 3.5 points. A Yahoo Sports analysis predicts Indianapolis will cover but says the game could be closer than expected if Miami establishes its running game early.
NBC Sports summed up the matchup this way: both teams are struggling, and someone has to win.
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