Miami hosted the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday for their Week 16 matchup at Hard Rock Stadium. Although both teams entered the week disqualified from playoff contention, there was still plenty to watch. Miami rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers made his first career NFL start and All-Pro signal caller Joe Burrow ignited the Bengals offense.

Miami trailed by just three entering halftime after a promising first half, but the Bengals broke out in the third quarter. They intercepted rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers twice and rattled off 35 unanswered points.

1. Tough third quarter

The third quarter has proved costly for the Dolphins this season. Trailing 17-14 on Sunday, the Dolphins received the opening kick of the second half but turned the ball over in four consecutive possessions. The Bengals answered each turnover with a touchdown to put the game out of reach at 45-14.

“It’s not good enough,” Head Coach Mike McDaniel said. “You have to be able to come out from halftime and adjust. We aren’t executing that at all. So back to the drawing board and all things are on the table for that.”

2. Ewers’s first NFL start

Quarterback Quinn Ewers made his first career NFL start during Sunday’s game. He became the ninth rookie in Dolphins history to start a game at quarterback, joining Skylar Thompson (2022), Tua Tagovailoa (2020), Ryan Tannehill (2012), John Beck (2007), Dan Marino (1983), David Woodley (1980), Bob Griese (1967) and Rick Norton (1966).

“I was calm and I was ready for the opportunity at hand,” Ewers said. “Felt like I had a great grasp of the game plan and I felt like I had the confidence of the guys around me. I was just fired up to get back out there on the field.”

Ewers had the Dolphins in front 14-10 after leading his second scoring drive of the first half. He finished 20-for-30 with 260 passing yards and two interceptions.

“I wish I had a couple of those throws back, but I think it’s a good learning moment and experience for all those guys in the locker room, myself included,” he said. “Not the result that we wanted. It’s unfortunate.”

3. Staying strong up front

Ewers wasn’t sacked in the game and was only hit four times on 31 drop backs. The same offensive line that kept the quarterback clean sprung running back De’Von Achane for another long touchdown, this time from 48 yards. It was Achane’s third rushing touchdown of at least 40 yards this season and the seventh of his career.

On the day, the Dolphins ran for 129 yards on 28 rushing attempts (4.6 yards per carry). All three touchdowns came on the ground. Achane started the scoring, wide receiver Malik Washington took an end-around in from nine yards out and running back Jaylen Wright punctuated a nine-play, 97-yard drive in the fourth quarter with his second rushing touchdown of the season.