Joe Burrow threw four touchdown passes and the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Miami Dolphins 31-24 on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, snapping a two-game losing streak. Burrow completed 23 of 32 passes for 190 yards without an interception, and safety Jordan Battle picked off Malik Willis twice to seal it.
Cincinnati pulled away in the second quarter behind touchdown passes to Samaje Perine and Tanner Hudson, building a 21-7 halftime lead. Miami’s offense leaned on the ground game all afternoon, with Ollie Gordon II rushing 18 times for 88 yards and a score, but Willis completed just 5 of his 15 pass attempts in the first half as the Dolphins fell to 0-5.
How Cincinnati Took Control
The Bengals struck fast. Dohnte Meyers returned the opening kickoff 81 yards, and three plays later Burrow found Mike Gesicki for a 4-yard touchdown just over four minutes into the game. Miami answered with an 11-play, 60-yard drive that featured 51 rushing yards and zero completed passes, capped by Gordon’s 1-yard touchdown run that tied it at 7-7.
From there, Cincinnati took over. Burrow hit Perine for a 6-yard score in the second quarter, then connected with Hudson with 55 seconds left before halftime to push the lead to 21-7. Ja’Marr Chase, playing in his return from a concussion, delivered the signature play of the game late in the third quarter, hauling in a one-handed catch for a 45-yard touchdown that made it 28-10.
Miami tried to rally. Riley Patterson’s 29-yard field goal cut the gap to 21-10 in the third quarter, and a touchdown pass from Willis to Kevin Coleman Jr. with a two-point conversion trimmed the deficit to 28-18 early in the fourth. Evan McPherson’s 26-yard field goal with 2:09 remaining restored Cincinnati’s two-score cushion at 31-18. Willis scored on a 1-yard run with 45 seconds left to make it 31-24, but Patterson’s extra point hit the left upright, and Miami’s onside kick attempt sailed out of bounds to end the game.
Top Performers
Burrow spread the ball to nine different receivers, with Chase leading the way with six catches for 77 yards and the long touchdown. Tanner Hudson added three catches for 14 yards and a score. Perine carried 14 times for 68 yards on the ground while also catching his touchdown pass.
Battle’s two interceptions of Willis both came on back-to-back Dolphins drives in the second quarter. Battle said this week he had a tell on how Willis throws the football. “He apparently taps the ball before he throws,” according to CBS Sports.
Gordon began the season as Miami’s third-string running back but has moved up the depth chart past backup Jaylen Wright in the absence of De’Von Achane, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 3.
Injuries
Bengals linebacker Swayze Bozeman, who entered questionable with a groin injury, left in the third quarter with a right forearm injury and did not return. Miami dealt with several injuries of its own. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks hurt his right foot in the second quarter but came back in the third.
Right guard Jonah Savaiinaea left in the second quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. Cornerback JuJu Brents was evaluated for a concussion in the second quarter, was cleared, but sat out the rest of the game with a stinger.
What It Means
Cincinnati improved to 3-2. The Bengals, Cleveland and Pittsburgh all share a 3-2 record in the AFC North, behind Baltimore at 3-1. The Bengals’ win came after questions about Chase and Tee Higgins heading into the game, and Chase’s return produced his most productive outing since missing time. Miami fell to 0-5, the only winless team in the AFC East, where Buffalo leads at 3-1.
What’s Next
Both teams have a bye in Week 6 before returning to action. Cincinnati will look to build on the win coming off a two-game skid, while Miami will try to find its first victory of the season after the bye.
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