Who has the edge? Dolphins at Colts, in fourth game without Tua

Here’s a look at how the Miami Dolphins (2-3) and Indianapolis Colts (3-3) match up in six key areas ahead of Sunday’s Week 7 game at Lucas Oil Stadium (1 p.m., FOX):

When the Dolphins run: The Miami run game finally got going in its last game against the New England Patriots. That was without speedster De’Von Achane for much of the afternoon, exiting early with concussion. Luckily, the Dolphins had Raheem Mostert back for the first time in three games. He and Jaylen Wright combined for 166 yards in something the Dolphins should stick with now against the Colts’ 31st-ranked run defense.

Achane appears on track to return after advancing through stages of concussion protocol while Miami was on its bye week, so the Dolphins could use all three backs or revert to the Achane-Mostert combination that was so effective in 2023. Either way, Miami should take advantage of finding the run game last time out, running behind different offensive linemen while finding success both between the tackles and with the outside zone. It doesn’t seem coach Mike McDaniel will necessarily incorporate quarterback Tyler Huntley on designed runs, though.

Gone are the days for the Colts where they have Shaquille Leonard roaming at middle linebacker. Indianapolis also has standout defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on injured reserve but Grover Stewart is still one to watch on the defensive line, but their front seven seven just isn’t scaring anyone against the run. Edge: Dolphins

When the Colts run: Indianapolis could present one of the league’s top run games when everyone is healthy. Mobile quarterback Anthony Richardson is set to return after missing a pair of starts and most of the game before those, so defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver will be tested with how his scheme holds up against a true dual-threat back there. But the Colts may still be without running back Jonathan Taylor due to his ankle injury, and their 17th-ranked rushing attack only mustered 2.9 yards per carry against Tennessee last Sunday without him.

Whoever’s back there for the Colts, they have one of the league’s best guards in Quenton Nelson, a six-time Pro Bowl selection in his previous six NFL seasons. The Dolphins continue to struggle against the run, as metrics indicate linebacker David Long Jr. has not graded well in an area where he’s usually reliable. Defensive tackles Zach Sieler and Calais Campbell can set the tone at any point, but this team has given up too many big plays on the ground to this point and now must stop a mobile quarterback. Edge: Colts

When the Dolphins pass: Huntley showed improvement in running the offense from his first start to his second, and now he had an extra week with the bye to further immerse himself into the playbook and the calls. One thing he did better against the Patriots in start No. 2 was distribute the ball to his top pass-catchers in Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and tight end Jonnu Smith. But there’s still a lot of room for improvement, and the Dolphins’ lone touchdown drive in New England came on a series where the team dominated on the ground.

In a secondary that will try to stick with Hill and Waddle, Kenny Moore gives the Colts a solid nickel cornerback with 17 career interceptions and a Pro Bowl in 2021 to his credit. Jaylon Jones, a 2023 seventh-round pick, has two interceptions this season. But the Colts rank 26th against the pass.

Dolphins tackles Terron Armstead and Austin Jackson will look to keep Colts edge rushers Kwity Paye, Dayo Odeyingbo and first-round pick Laiatu Latu in check, but Huntley should be trying to get the ball out quickly anyway, as Tua Tagovailoa would do if he were starting. Smith helps in that regard as a versatile tight end, and he can also look for Achane as a checkdown out of the backfield or on quick underneath routes lining up out wide. Edge: Even

When the Colts pass: While Richardson provides the running abilities, he is not the passer that 39-year-old Joe Flacco is. While Flacco, who just led a win over the Titans has thrown seven touchdowns to one interception and has completed 65.7 percent of passes, Richardson has thrown three touchdowns to six interceptions and has a completion percentage at a nudge above 50 percent. But Richardson is a freakish combination of size, speed and arm strength.

In a receiving trio of Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and Josh Downs, Pierce is leading Indianapolis with 368 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The Dolphins and their third-ranked passing defense can match the Colts receivers with cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Kendall Fuller and Kader Kohou all healthy. The secondary has banged-up safeties, though, with Jevon Holland possibly preparing to play with a club on his broken left hand and Jordan Poyer nursing a shin injury. It’s Marcus Maye if one can’t go, and Elijah Campbell to get playing time if neither plays.

Miami ranks first in the NFL in third-down defense. It’s a credit to its coverage, but also, although the team only has nine sacks, has something to do with pressures on the quarterback. The Dolphins don’t have either Jaelan Phillips or Bradley Chubb available and Emmanuel Ogbah is now nursing a biceps injury, but rookie Chop Robinson could be approaching his first NFL sack the way he was winning on pass rushes the last game before the bye. The edge rushers face left tackle Bernhard Raimann and right tackle Braden Smith, who is missing practice early in the week. Edge: Dolphins

Special teams: This unit had blunder after blunder its last time out, between a blocked punt, a bad snap and a missed field goal in the first half against the Patriots. The group did recover for three key field goal makes, and returner Braxton Berrios had an alert punt return.

Indianapolis has kicker Matt Gay 7 of 9 on field goals. Punter Rigoberto Sanchez has downed 17 of his 24 punts inside the 20. Downs had a strong game on punt returns against the Titans last week. Edge: Colts

Intangibles: As the Dolphins go back on the road for another game without Tagovailoa, the easy answer is the Colts, but Miami does come off the bye with the momentum of surviving for a road win against New England, albeit because a heel was out of the back of the end zone. I also expect Miami to come out with some eagerness to avoid 2-4. Edge: Even

PREDICTION: Colts 20, Dolphins 17

Dolphins Deep Dive: Will Miami stick with run game vs. Colts? | VIDEO