Here’s a look at how the Miami Dolphins (0-4) and Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) match up in six key areas ahead of Sunday’s Week 5 game at Hard Rock Stadium (1 p.m., Fox):

When the Dolphins run: It was impressive that, as running back De’Von Achane was lost for the season, second-year running back Ollie Gordon II picked up the rushing duties with his first 100-yard game. He did it against a stout Minnesota Vikings defense in last Sunday’s 15-10 loss. Jaylen Wright got the start, but as he only went for 7 yards on five carries, Gordon rushed for 100 on just nine attempts. He had a 53-yard scamper, a touchdown from 12 yards out and could have had another long run had he not been touched down by a fingertip.

It’s encouraging that Miami is remaining true to its identity of wanting to run the ball and was effective at it without Achane. The massive left side of the line of tackle Patrick Paul and rookie guard Kadyn Proctor, combined with center Aaron Brewer’s effort and athleticism and the improved play of Jonah Savaiinaea at right guard, have Miami capable of getting the ground game going against anyone but it still is the No. 19 rushing attack thus far.

The Bengals, up front, are not the same unit that used to get beat up. Former Miami Hurricanes coach Al Golden, who is now Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator, got dominant defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence in an offseason trade with the New York Giants. Lawrence and Jonathan Allen form a formidable interior defensive lineman duo that has the Bengals ranked eighth against the run through four weeks. The Dolphins could turn out to win this matchup, but they’ll have to prove the 100 yards from Gordon was no fluke. Edge: Bengals

When the Bengals run: And they don’t run much, at least not last Sunday in their loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Running back Chase Brown had just nine carries for 10 yards and Samaje Perine went for 7 yards on three attempts. A total of 12 designed runs, as quarterback Joe Burrow dropped back to pass 59 times (54 pass attempts, plus two sacks and three scrambles for short gains). Brown is still very capable if he is getting his touches — Burrow did dump it off to him for 11 receptions — so he must be contained.

As Cincinnati ranks second-to-last in rushing offense, Miami is a middle of the pack run defense. It’s a unit that was trending up until it allowed Vikings running back Aaron Jones to get going a little bit and didn’t get off the field at the end of the game when Minnesota was trying to run the clock out. Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips has received praise for his work in the middle, and rookie middle linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was everywhere, notching a Dolphins rookie record of 18 tackles. More of that will be needed when the Bengals go to the ground game. Edge: Dolphins

When the Dolphins pass: Quarterback Malik Willis is leaving much to be desired through his first four games. He’s completing 56.3% of passes, has thrown for just one touchdown, added a rushing score and has four turnovers — two interceptions and two fumbles lost. He had been good on third downs, but the Dolphins were just 2 for 9 on third down against Minnesota. One miss was particularly costly at the end, as he failed to see Kevin Coleman Jr. open on the right side on third-and-8 in the fourth quarter while forcing a pass over the middle to Chris Bell that fell incomplete. It turned out to be his last pass attempt, as Minnesota ran the remainder of the clock out.

Rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas’ status is again in doubt as he’s missing practice early in the week due to that nagging ankle injury. Without him, third-year receiver Malik Washington has stepped up, even adding depth to his route tree, which he lacked in his first two seasons. Washington leads the Dolphins with 17 catches and 219 yards. He, Bell, Coleman and tight end Greg Dulcich will look to get open against the 26th-ranked passing defense of the Bengals. The Cincinnati secondary has 2022 first-round pick Dax Hill as the nickel and 2023 second-rounder DJ Turner II as a boundary cornerback. Safety Jordan Battle, a St. Thomas Aquinas High alum, has the Bengals’ lone interception this season, and fellow safety Bryan Cook, if he can play, brings championship pedigree of two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs after signing with the Bengals this offseason.

As far as their pass rush, Lawrence and Allen bring it up the middle, so Brewer, Proctor and Savaiinaea will have to be on point with their pass protection and nonverbal communication. Tackles Paul and Austin Jackson will handle Boye Mafe and Myles Murphy at defensive end. Edge: Even

When the Bengals pass: It’s Burrow coming back to Hard Rock Stadium, and that brings back memories of his four-touchdown performance last December against Miami. Against the Jaguars, he was 39 of 54 for 428 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He will shoulder all the offensive responsibility, and rightfully so as one of the best in the game.

Last Sunday, though, he had star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase go down early in the game, as he navigates concussion protocol and had fellow standout wideout Tee Higgins exit and return in the fourth quarter. He’s battling a groin injury. If one or both can’t play, wide receiver Dohnte Meyers will see more targets, so will Brown out of the backfield and former Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki. The Dolphins have struggled to cover tight ends, with T.J. Hockenson catching 13 passes for 129 yards in the Vikings win. They look for a solution there. Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson has done a fine job covering both on the outside and in the slot, and Miami has settled on Michael Taaffe and Dante Trader as the safety combination, although Trader got a little banged up in the Minnesota game, paving the way for some more Zayne Anderson snaps.

The Miami pass rush had been building toward a breakout game and finally got it against Minnesota, sacking quarterback Kyler Murray four times and hitting him on several other occasions. Hafley challenged edge rusher Chop Robinson to do it again after mounting up the pressures and pass-rush wins last game. He and Josh Uche each had a sack while Sieler had two up the middle. The Bengals have ex-Dolphin center Ted Karras in the middle of the line, former Chief Orlando Brown Jr. is at left tackle, 2024 first-round pick Amarius Mims is the right tackle that will look to protect Burrow. Edge: Bengals

Special teams: Dolphins remain struggling in this department. They gave up long kickoff and punt returns against the Vikings, had Washington muff a punt — and were fortunate it didn’t turn catastrophic on that play — had Wright bobble two kickoff returns and had multiple penalties on special teams.

Cincinnati isn’t much of a threat in the return game, but kicker Evan McPherson has been automatic, making all nine of his field goals, including five from beyond 50 yards. Edge: Bengals

Intangibles: The Bengals are the more experienced team, but the Dolphins get that early-season heat and humidity advantage in the 1 p.m. kickoff at home. This is a winnable game for Miami, especially with the injury concerns to top Bengals players. The Dolphins have been building off strong performances against a pair of unbeaten teams the past two weeks, in the Chiefs and the Vikings. Edge: Dolphins

PREDICTION: Bengals 24, Dolphins 17

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