MIAMI – October 10, 2026 – Brendon D. Miller
The Bengals flew South to Miami for week 5 looking to break a two game losing streak and get the program righted before entering the bye week. Joe Burrow was sharp and the defense capitalized on Dolphin mistakes, leading the Bengals to leave Hard Rock Stadium with a 31-24 victory. Cincinnati improved to 3-2 on the season, while Miami remained winless and fell to 0-5.
The Bengals ruled the first half heading to the break with a 21-7 lead. Miami briefly gained momentum with a third-quarter field goal, but Cincinnati delivered the game’s biggest offensive highlight when Burrow lofted a deep pass to Ja’Marr Chase, who made a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch for a 45-yard score and a 28-10 Bengals advantage. The Dolphins mounted a fourth-quarter comeback, scoring 14 points and trimming the deficit to seven, but Cincinnati recovered from the late pressure and sealed the win after Miami’s final onside kick attempt failed.
Game Statistics
Cincinnati Bengals
- 31 points
- 307 total yards
- 190 passing yards
- 117 rushing yards
- 22 first downs
- 9-of-13 on third downs
- 31:40 time of possession
- 1 turnover
Miami Dolphins
- 24 points
- 331 total yards
- 114 net passing yards
- 217 rushing yards
- 23 first downs
- 7-of-13 on third downs
- 3 turnovers
Bengals Individual Leaders
- Joe Burrow: 23-of-32 passing, 190 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs
- Ja’Marr Chase: 6 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD
- Samaje Perine: 14 carries, 68 yards; 1 receiving TD
- Jordan Battle: 2 interceptions
Offensive Analysis
Strengths
Elite Red-Zone Execution
The Bengals’ offense was remarkably efficient when it reached scoring territory. Although Cincinnati produced only 307 total yards, Burrow threw four touchdown passes and the offense consistently converted opportunities into points. Cincinnati scored touchdowns on drives ending with catches by Gesicki, Perine, Hudson, and Chase.
Burrow’s Command of the Game
Burrow delivered one of his most efficient performances of the season. He completed nearly 72% of his passes, avoided sacks entirely, and did not throw an interception. Most importantly, he consistently made the right decision against Miami’s coverage looks and spread the ball among multiple targets.
Third-Down Dominance
Cincinnati converted 9 of 13 third-down opportunities, allowing the offense to sustain drives and keep Miami’s defense on the field. That efficiency was a major reason the Bengals controlled the game’s tempo despite not posting huge yardage totals.
Areas for Improvement
Limited Explosive Production Outside of Chase’s TD
The Bengals averaged only 4.9 yards per play and generated just 190 passing yards. Outside of Chase’s 45-yard touchdown reception, the offense relied more on efficiency than explosiveness.
Running Game Was Solid, Not Dominant
The Bengals rushed for 117 yards, but averaged only 3.8 yards per carry. While Perine and Chase Brown helped maintain balance, Cincinnati did not consistently generate chunk runs.
Offensive MVP
Joe Burrow
Four touchdown passes, zero turnovers, no sacks taken, and complete control of the offense. Burrow’s decision-making and red-zone efficiency were the foundation of Cincinnati’s victory.
Defensive Analysis
Strengths
Turnovers Changed the Game
The Bengals’ defense generated three takeaways and transformed the momentum of the contest. Battle’s back-to-back interceptions in the second quarter prevented Miami from building any offensive rhythm and directly contributed to Cincinnati’s 21-7 halftime lead.
Strong Pass Defense
Although Miami ran effectively, Cincinnati limited Willis as a passer. The Dolphins quarterback completed only 15 passes, threw two interceptions, and finished with just 137 passing yards. The Bengals also recorded three sacks and consistently pressured him in obvious passing situations.
Situational Football
The Bengals excelled in key moments. They forced turnovers, got off the field on important downs, and consistently made Miami earn its points through lengthy drives rather than explosive passing plays.
Areas for Improvement
Run Defense Remains a Concern
The biggest negative for Cincinnati was its inability to contain Miami’s rushing attack. The Dolphins piled up 217 rushing yards and averaged 6.4 yards per carry. Ollie Gordon II and Willis repeatedly found running lanes, allowing Miami to remain competitive despite its turnover problems.
Late-Game Execution
After building a 28-10 lead, the Bengals allowed 14 fourth-quarter points and nearly let Miami complete a comeback. Tightening up late-game defensive execution will be a point of emphasis heading into the bye week.
Defensive MVP
Jordan Battle
Two second-quarter interceptions completely changed the complexion of the game. His playmaking gave Cincinnati extra possessions and helped create the comfortable lead that ultimately held up.
Final Takeaway
The Bengals won this game with efficiency, opportunistic defense, and outstanding quarterback play. Burrow’s four-touchdown performance and Battle’s takeaways overshadowed a defense that struggled against the run. If Cincinnati can maintain its offensive efficiency while improving its run defense, this victory could prove to be an important turning point as the Bengals head into their bye week at 3-2.