The Dolphins head into Sunday’s meeting with the Bengals still chasing their first win under Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley, and the challenge waiting at Hard Rock Stadium looks like a heavy one if Cincinnati’s top receivers are on the field.
Miami’s injury list already trims the roster. EDGE Robert Beal Jr. (hamstring), WR Caleb Douglas (ankle), TE Justin Joly (concussion) and CB Reese Taylor (quad) are out. CB Storm Duck (knee), DL Kenneth Grant (toe), LB Jackson Woodard (ankle) and RB Jaylen Wright (foot) are questionable.
Cincinnati has its own issues, with S Kyle Dugger (quad) ruled out. LB Swayze Bozeman (groin), WR Ja’Marr Chase (concussion), S Bryan Cook (ankle), WR Tee Higgins (groin/neck) and WR Colbie Young (knee) are listed as questionable.
The Bengals arrive at 2-2, a record that feels a little underwhelming given the offseason buzz around the defense, which was boosted by the trade acquisition of former New York Giants DT Dexter Lawrence. Cincinnati has dropped two straight after Joe Burrow gave the ball away on late drives in both games - a fumble against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3 and an interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday. Even so, Burrow remains the engine, with Chase and Higgins still the headliners around him.
That receiver situation matters here. Chase and Higgins both missed practice time during the week, though both returned to practice Friday.
If they’re active, the Bengals’ offense changes fast. Burrow threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns at Hard Rock Stadium last December with both receivers in the lineup, and the Dolphins defense does not appear to be in a better place than the one Burrow shredded 10 months ago.
Miami has been close the last two weeks, with fourth-quarter chances to beat Kansas City and Minnesota, but close only counts for so much. The Dolphins also haven’t topped 13 points in any game this season, which makes the path to victory look narrow unless they can slow down Cincinnati’s offense and finally finish a game.
The series history at Miami has produced some wild swings over the years. The teams last met on Sept. 29, 2022, when the Bengals won 27-15.
Before that, Miami beat Cincinnati 38-35 in overtime on Dec. 22, 2019.
The Bengals also won 27-17 in Cincinnati on Oct. 7, 2017.
The Dolphins’ biggest win over Cincinnati came by 24 points, done twice at Miami: 38-14 in 1983 and 37-13 in 1991. Their largest loss also came by 24, in 2025 at Miami when the Bengals rolled 45-21.
The highest-scoring game in the series was that 2019 overtime thriller, which produced 73 points. The lowest-scoring matchup was a 21-point game in 1978, when Miami beat Cincinnati 21-0.
Sunday’s broadcast will feature Eric Collins on play-by-play, Mark Schlereth as the color analyst and Jen Hale on the sideline.
The Bengals’ coaching connections to Miami include TE Mike Gesicki, C Ted Karras, RB Samaje Perine, CB Jalen Davis and safeties coach Jordan Kovacs. On the Cincinnati sideline, the familiar names are head coach Zac Taylor, CB coach Charles Burks and assistant QB coach Jordan Salkin.
If Chase and Higgins play, the matchup tilts even harder toward Cincinnati. Burrow has already shown what that combination can do at Hard Rock, and Miami now has to prove it can hold up against that level of firepower while trying to find enough offense of its own. Final Prediction: Bengals 27, Dolphins 17.
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 Could Finally Unleash Malik Willis Against A Vulnerable Bengals Defense
Malik Willis has been used sparingly as a runner this season, which has made his mobility more of a background note than a central part of Miamis attack. Still, the Dolphins have reason to revisit that element against Cincinnati, where the matchup offers a chance to stress a defense that has been vulnerable in the back end and put more on Willis beyond simple pocket work.
The Bengals personnel situation could make that even more appealing, with injuries and changes across both sides shaping how the game gets called. If Miami sees room to move Willis around and attack vertically, the Dolphins may finally have a spot where his legs and arm can work together instead of one fading behind the other. [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 🡒]