MIAMI GARDENS — The winless Miami Dolphins (0-4) think they’re inching closer and closer to their first win of the season, and with a little luck, which might be on the way, it could happen this week against Cincinnati.

The Bengals (2-2) could be without star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) and Tee Higgins (groin) when they visit Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. Both were injured in the Bengals’ 22-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the second consecutive loss for Cincinnati.

The Bengals are 10th in the league in total offense (351.8 yards per game) and No. 5 in passing offense (277.5 ypg), thanks largely in part to the trio of Chase, Higgins and quarterback Joe Burrow (seven touchdowns, three interceptions. 99.5 passer rating). But Cincinnati is second-to-last in rushing offense (74.3 ypg), meaning if the Dolphins can be effective against the passing game they greatly increase their chances of winning.

It should be pointed out that star absences haven’t helped Miami so far. The Dolphins avoided facing Las Vegas Raiders All Pro tight end Brock Bowers (knee) and Minnesota Vikings All Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) but lost both games.

Still, if Chase and Higgins don’t play, or if one doesn’t play, those absences could be significant considering Miami’s defense has been the best aspect of the team through four games and it could perform even better without one or two of the Bengal’s star players on the field.

Miami ranks 17th in total defense (335.5 yards allowed per game), 19th against the pass (226.5 ypg allowed), tied for 15th against the run (109.0 ypg allowed ) and 21st in points allowed (25.3 points per game). None are great rankings, but they provide hope considering Miami is winless.

The Dolphins had their best defensive day of the season last Sunday against the Vikings. Linebackers Jacob Rodriguez (18 tackles) and Jordyn Brooks (13 tackles) did well statistically but they weren’t alone. Defensive tackle Zach Sieler had two sacks, and edge rusher Josh Uche had a sack and was the team’s highest-rated defensive player by Pro Football Focus with a 91.2 grade in 59 snaps. Fellow edge rusher Chop Robinson had one sack, three quarterback hits, five hurries and eight pressures.

The Dolphins held the Vikings to 0-3 in the red zone. But the Vikings had six “explosive” plays (15 or more yards) that went for 118 yards.

Still, it was a productive day even though the Dolphins allowed Minnesota, which entered the game as the league’s worst offense in yards per game (238.3 ypg), to gain 336 yards, almost 100 yards more than their average.

WR Caleb Douglas (ankle) could play vs. Bengals

Coach Jeff Hafley said rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas, who has missed the past two games with an ankle injury, could play this Sunday.

“I would say we’ll be one day at a time with him,” Hafley said. “He was in this morning. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow, Wednesday, see if he can do anything.”

Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (foot/ankle), who is on injured reserve, is scheduled to practice Wednesday and could play Sunday.

Hafley said safety Reese Taylor (quad), who is mostly a special teams contributor, is out this week, and safety Dante Trader (knee) is day to day even though he returned to the game.

 Dolphins’ offense is struggling mightily

The Dolphins only ran 39 plays against Minnesota, which is bad even for them. In an average game, teams run between 60 and 70 plays.

The Dolphins ran 56 plays against Las Vegas, 59 plays against the San Francisco 49ers, and 73 plays against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Miami ranks last in the league in scoring offense (11.5 ppg), 30th in total offense (267.5 ypg), 30th in passing offense (163.5 ypg), and 19th in rushing offense (104 ypg).

The Dolphins had a season-low 3 in offensive plays against Minnesota while the Vikings ran 78 plays.

Running back Ollie Gordon II had nine carries for a career-best 100 yards rushing while the Dolphins rushed for a season-best 121 yards, narrowly topping the previous best of 119 vs. Kansas City two games ago.

Rookie wide receiver Chris Bell had no receptions on three targets. It’s debatable whether Bell should have made the catch on one of the offense’s final plays, a long throw from quarterback Malik Willis with Vikings safety Harrison Smith defending.

PFF grades

Right tackle Austin Jackson was Miami’s highest-rated offensive lineman by Pro Football Focus against Minnesota followed by center Aaron Brewer, left guard Kadyn Proctor, left tackle Patrick Paul, who was flagged twice for holding, and right guard Jonah Savaiinaea. PFF, for those who believe its rankings, ranks Proctor No. 48 among guards while Savaiinaea, who was ranked last in 2025, isn’t ranked among the top 70.

Miami’s highest-ranked interior defensive lineman by PFF is Jordan Phillips (No. 44), its highest-ranked edge rusher is Josh Uche (No. 30), its highest-ranked linebacker is Brooks (No. 21) while Rodriguez is No. 75, and its highest-rated safety is Zayne Anderson (tied for No. 20) while Dante Trader Jr. is tied for No. 43. No cornerbacks rank among the top 70.

The Dolphins are tied for 21st in the league in turnover margin at minus-2 with its three lost fumbles being tied for second most in the league.