Inside Slant

The Sports Xchange

November 22, 2018 at 1:34 am.

Tannehill returns for intriguing matchup vs. Colts

A late-November matchup between a pair of 5-5 teams shouldn’t be much to see, but the Miami Dolphins visit to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday does have intrigue.

First of all, the Colts – led by the Comeback Kid Andrew Luck at quarterback — have won four consecutive games, making them one of the five hottest teams in the NFL.

Secondly, the Dolphins are full of hope now that starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill has returned after missing five consecutive games due to a shoulder injury.

“I’m not quite 100 percent,” Tannehill said. “But I’m confident I’ve made all the throws I will need over the course of a game. I don’t feel like any aspect of my game has been taken away.”

The Colts and Dolphins are among six teams tied for the sixth and final spot in the AFC playoff race.

Indianapolis, with first-year head coach Frank Reich, first-year offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni and first-year defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, is starting to hit its stride.

“The good news is that we’re out of the hole,” Reich said after his team had reached .500 in the standings. “But the reality is that there is still a mountain to climb.”

Luck, who missed all of last season due to shoulder surgery, is completing 74 percent of his passes – with just one interception – during this four-game win streak.

The Colts are averaging an impressive 36.5 points during this run, and Luck has 29 touchdown passes this season, which ranks second in the NFL behind Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Luck is getting excellent protection as he has dropped back to throw 214 consecutive times without being sacked.

Meanwhile, Miami has lost five of its past seven games. During that span, there was only one strong defensive effort – a 13-6 win over the New York Jets.

In the other six games, the Dolphins are allowing an average of 33 points per game.

SERIES HISTORY: 72nd regular-season meeting. Dolphins lead series, 45-26. The Colts have won four of the past five meetings. The Colts won the most recent game between the teams, beating the Dolphins 18-12 in 2015. However, the Dolphins won the most recent game between the teams in Indianapolis, prevailing 24-20 in 2013.