The Cincinnati Bengals may be out of the playoff picture, but don’t tell that to Chase Brown or anyone else in that locker room. After getting blanked 24-0 by Baltimore in Week 15, the Bengals came out Sunday and played like a team with something to prove-because they did.
The result? A 45-21 dismantling of the Dolphins that felt more like a statement than a formality.
Brown, the rookie running back who’s been steadily carving out a bigger role, took the shutout personally. And he responded with authority-three touchdowns in the third quarter alone and over 100 yards from scrimmage. It was the kind of breakout performance that doesn’t just show up in the box score-it shifts momentum, sets a tone, and offers a glimpse into what the Bengals’ backfield might look like in the future.
“When everything is firing on all cylinders, we’re going to score a lot of points,” Brown said afterward. “It felt good to score, but at the end of the day, it’s just building momentum. Even though our season is going to end not the way that we wanted it to, we can still finish it off on a positive note.”
And that’s exactly what Cincinnati is chasing now-pride, progress, and a strong finish. With two games left, both at home-first against the Cardinals, then the season finale against Cleveland-the Bengals are focused on ending 2025 with their heads high and their offense humming.
Head coach Zac Taylor made sure the team knew how much he appreciated their response. After Sunday's win, he handed out game balls to the entire squad.
That 24-0 loss to the Ravens could’ve been a gut punch. Instead, it became fuel.
“As a coach, you can always worry this time of year when you’re out of contention how guys handle it,” Taylor said. “I’m not surprised with how our guys handled it. There’s no indication from guys through meetings, through practice that they weren’t just going out there and giving their all to win-not just for themselves, but for their teammates, for everybody who’s invested in this thing.”
That investment was on full display Sunday, especially with the offense finally at full strength. Tee Higgins returned after clearing concussion protocol-his second scare in three weeks-and wasted no time making an impact.
He hauled in two big catches early, including a highlight-reel touchdown that opened the scoring. Higgins’ return wasn’t just a boost-it was a spark.
Taylor said the decision to get a second opinion from an independent specialist in Pittsburgh was a joint call between Higgins and the team’s medical staff. He was cleared Thursday morning and made it back in time to practice-unexpectedly, even to his coach.
“I wasn’t even expecting him at practice and there he is, walks in the door right after stretch,” Taylor said. “We just want to make sure we were doing right by him… and he went out there, to my eye, felt really good.”
Joe Burrow certainly appreciated it. The Bengals’ franchise quarterback hit a pair of major career milestones-surpassing 20,000 career passing yards and 150 touchdown passes-while throwing for 309 yards and four scores.
It was vintage Burrow, spreading the ball around with precision. Mike Gesicki got in on the action, and Ja’Marr Chase topped 100 receiving yards for the seventh time this season.
This is the version of the Bengals’ offense fans have been waiting for. Explosive, efficient, and in rhythm. It’s taken time-Burrow is only four starts removed from a nine-week absence following turf toe surgery-but the chemistry is back, and so is the swagger.
“I feel like we’ve shown this a million times over the years,” Taylor said. “Unfortunately, this year we just haven’t been able to do it.
But this is no surprise. I was walking off the field with Drew Sample and he said, ‘This is how I’m used to these games going, when we’ve got everybody on offense ready to roll.’”
Now, the focus shifts to Arizona. Another chance to show what this team can be when healthy and locked in.
Taylor said Higgins came through the game fine, but tight end Cam Grandy is week-to-week with a sternum injury. Other players-Joseph Ossai, Noah Fant, and Charlie Jones-will be monitored throughout the week.
With the holidays giving the team a slightly lighter schedule, Taylor emphasized the importance of staying locked in and finishing strong.
“I feel really good about the direction of this team,” he said. “All we can control is this week. We’ve got Arizona this week, we’ve got to put our best foot forward and forget about what’s going on around us and just focus on a great game plan and having a great week of practice, winning the game, winning two games in a row.”
The Bengals won’t be part of the playoff conversation this year, but that doesn’t mean they’re playing meaningless football. Not to Brown.
Not to Burrow. Not to Taylor.
What they’re doing now is setting the tone for what comes next-and if Sunday was any indication, the future still looks bright in Cincinnati.