The Miami Dolphins fell 45–21 to the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium. After a back-and-forth first half, Cincinnati pulled away after intermission, capitalizing on early second-half momentum. The Dolphins moved to 6–9 on the season.
Early on, the Dolphins showed promise on both sides of the ball. The defense set the tone on Cincinnati’s opening drive, forcing a punt after defensive tackle Zach Sieler recorded a third-down sack of Joe Burrow. The offense, led by rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers on his first NFL start, settled in quickly. Ewers connected with tight end Darren Waller for a 22-yard completion on third down.
Cincinnati struck first on its second possession, as Burrow orchestrated a 91-yard drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Miami responded immediately. On the Dolphins’ next offensive possession, running back De’Von Achane broke free for a 48-yard touchdown run, his eighth rushing score of the season and 12th total touchdown, tying the game at 7–7 late in the first quarter.
The teams traded momentum in the second quarter. Cincinnati regained the lead with a 45-yard field goal, but Miami answered with one of its most complete drives of the half. Ewers connected repeatedly with Jaylen Waddle before wide receiver Malik Washington finished the possession with a 10-yard end-around touchdown run, giving the Dolphins a 14–10 edge.
The Bengals responded with a one-minute touchdown drive, powered by running back Samaje Perine, and took a 17–14 advantage into halftime.
Momentum shifted in Cincinnati’s favor coming out of the locker room.
On Miami’s opening drive of the third quarter, a completion to tight end Greg Dulcich was jarred loose by Bengals safety Jordan Battle, resulting in a fumble recovered by Cincinnati. The Bengals capitalized immediately, scoring on a short touchdown pass to running back Chase Brown.
Two possessions later, an interception by Bengals linebacker Barrett Carter set Cincinnati up with good field position. Brown scored on the ensuing drive, and the Bengals’ lead climbed to 31–14. Two possessions later, another interception by Bengals cornerback Jalen Davis led to Brown’s third touchdown of the day, pushing the deficit to 38–14 by the end of the third quarter.
Cincinnati added another score early in the fourth quarter, a 17-yard touchdown pass from Burrow to tight end Mike Gesicki, marking the Bengals’ fourth consecutive touchdown drive of the second half.
Miami showed some fight late. Ewers led a 97-yard drive capped by a 3-yard touchdown run from running back Jaylen Wright, the second of his career.
Ewers completed 20-of-30 passing attempts for 260 yards and two interceptions. Achane totaled 90 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown, while Waddle led Miami with five catches for 72 yards (14.4 avg.). Waller totaled three receptions for 40 yards (13.3 avg.) and Dulcich logged another three catches for 46 yards (15.3 avg.). Meanwhile rookie wide receiver Theo Wease Jr., who made his NFL debut on Sunday, finished with two receptions for 32 yards (16.0 avg.).
Defensively, linebacker Jordyn Brooks led the Dolphins with 14 tackles (five solo), continuing to build on his NFL-leading total, which climbed to 169 for the season. Sieler recorded a sack. He has now had 4.5 sacks in the past three games. Meanwhile linebacker Chop Robinson and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant added a 0.5 sack each.
The Dolphins will return to Hard Rock Stadium next Sunday, December 28, when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET with coverage airing on FOX.