Malik Willis still hasn’t been fully let loose in Miami, but Week 5 against Cincinnati looks like the perfect time to change that.
Through four games, the Dolphins have kept the offense on a pretty tight leash, and that’s understandable with the receiver room so thin. Even so, there’s been a noticeable reluctance to lean into the traits that make Willis dangerous. He’s still developing as a pocket passer, sure, but the athletic element has been left on the table too often.
That should matter more than ever this week. If Miami wants to give Willis his best chance to have a real impact, the designed quarterback run game has to be part of the plan.
So far, only five of his 19 carries have come on designed QB runs. That’s a lot closer to the way Miami should be using him than the current split.
If the goal is simply to win, Willis needs more chances with the ball in his hands.
The matchup is there for it, too. De'Von Achane is out for the season, and Cincinnati’s defense has had real problems tackling.
The Bengals also rank 23rd in yards per carry allowed at 4.5, which opens the door for Willis to do damage in space. Bobby Slowik has a chance to sprinkle in more of those runs, and this feels like the week to do it.
The passing game could open up as well, especially downfield. Cincinnati may be without Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger again, with its Week 6 bye coming up, which would leave Jordan Battle and a mix of PJ Jules and Russ Yeast at safety. That’s a setup that could help Willis attack vertically.
Willis has the kind of arm that can stress a secondary, and he showed strong downfield touch in spot duty with the Packers. Miami just hasn’t had enough firepower around him to fully cash in on it.
Still, the Bengals’ back end has some vulnerable spots. Battle has been a shaky tackler and his coverage has slipped this season, even with a lucky interception off Aaron Rodgers in Week 3 helping the numbers.
He’s allowing a 111.4 passer rating.
There are more openings beyond that. Dax Hill has moved into the slot after Jalen Davis landed on IR, which leaves D.J.
Ivey and rookie Tacario Davis on the boundary opposite DJ Turner. That creates a tricky assignment for Dolphins WR1 Malik Washington, since Turner and Hill figure to shadow him most of the day.
That could leave Chris Bell in position to make the biggest downfield plays. Bell is Miami’s most dangerous vertical threat, even if he’s still adjusting to the NFL and not fully back to 100% from the torn ACL that ended his final college season at Louisville. If Willis gets a chance to isolate Bell against Ivey, there’s real big-play potential there.
Miami also comes into this game with a little more confidence than the 0-4 record might suggest. The Dolphins lost by only five on the road to the 4-0 Vikings in Week 4, and Willis dealt with Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy defense without blinking when he had the chance.
If Bell had stayed in bounds, that box score could have looked a lot better. The Dolphins might even have walked out with a win.
That game also featured a lot less possession for Miami than this one should. Minnesota held the ball for nearly 40 minutes, which kept Willis from settling in.
There’s no real path to that kind of imbalance happening again Sunday. Miami is not likely to be stuck with just 17 passes from Willis and nine carries for Ollie Gordon II.
Cincinnati is also walking into the game banged up on offense. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are very questionable, and the Bengals haven’t been able to run the ball well. That could make them predictable and one-dimensional, which would give Willis and the Dolphins a better shot to keep things tight.
For Miami, the ingredients are there. More designed runs, a chance to test the Bengals deep, and a defense on the other side that may not be able to dictate terms. Week 5 has the look of a real opening for Willis.
In Other News...
Josh Allen Concern Grows As Bills Face A Protection Problem
The Bills early-season issues up front have put Josh Allen back in the conversation, even if the quarterback insists there is nothing to the suggestion he is anything less than fully healthy. Joe Brady acknowledged the obvious concern: Allen has been pressured and hit often, a byproduct, he said, of both the way the offense has been called and Allen holding the ball too long. It has become the kind of familiar problem that can hang over a contender in a hurry if the protection does not settle down.
For Miami, the broader AFC East picture still matters, especially with the Dolphins trying to find their own footing. Malik Willis has been pushing the message that the excuses have to stop now that the season is underway, and that the team needs to own its mistakes and improve rather than lean on youth or a new system. After a better showing against the Raiders and a setback against the Vikings, the Dolphins are still searching for consistency, while the Bills are trying to keep their quarterback upright and their offense on schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Get A Key Defender Back As Week 5 Roster Changes Begin
The Dolphins got a notable reinforcement back for their Week 5 matchup with the Bengals, activating defensive tackle Kenneth Grant off injured reserve after he was able to practice all week. Grant had been out with a toe injury, so his return gives Miami another piece inside as it continues sorting through its early-season roster situation, with cornerback Storm Duck still on Reserve/PUP.
Miami also made a series of supporting moves around the roster to get ready for Sunday. Quarterback Brady Cook was waived to create space, with Carlos Washington Jr. and Rodney McGraw elevated from the practice squad for the game, a sign the Dolphins are still juggling depth even as they welcome back one of their more important defensive bodies. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Face A Huge Offensive Test In A Bengals Game That Changed Fast
The Dolphins Week 5 meeting with the Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium has gone from a straightforward test to a lot more complicated, with injuries piling up on both sides and several key players carrying uncertain status into Sunday. Miami comes in trying to find its first win under coaches Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley, while also trying to solve an offense that has struggled to produce enough points to stay ahead of the game.
Cincinnati has dropped its last two games, but the matchup still carries plenty of danger for a Dolphins defense and an offense looking to settle in. The Bengals passing game remains the centerpiece of the matchup, and Miamis side of it is about more than just getting healthy bodies on the field - it is about whether the Dolphins can keep a shaky stretch from turning into a deeper early-season hole. [Read more 🡒]