Indianapolis, already on a four-game skid and fielding trade rumors about its offensive core, trails Dallas at the break.
The Cowboys hold a 17-7 lead over the Colts at halftime, continuing a rough stretch for Indianapolis that entered the game having dropped four straight contests. The Colts came in at 2-6, sitting third in the AFC South, after getting blown out by the division rival Jaguars the week before in a 30-point loss.
Dallas, at 3-5 and second in the NFC East, arrived as 5.5-point road favorites, and the first half has played out close to form. The Cowboys have leaned on their passing attack, which ranks among the league's better units, while the Colts offense has struggled to find rhythm, a problem that has been building for weeks.
Adding to the noise around Indianapolis, offensive players Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs have all been mentioned in trade speculation. With the Colts' offense sputtering and the losing streak growing, those conversations are unlikely to quiet down regardless of how the second half unfolds. For Dallas, head coach Brian Schottenheimer badly needed his team to show up, and so far they have done enough to lead at the break.