The Cincinnati Bengals face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, a matchup that looks straightforward on paper but presents a complex challenge given Miami’s young talent and defensive strength. Although the Dolphins remain winless this season, their recent performance against the Minnesota Vikings showed resilience, pushing one of the league’s toughest defenses to the limit.
Miami’s offense has struggled, with rookie quarterback Malik Willis throwing for only 85 yards against Minnesota. However, the Vikings’ defense ranks among the best, which complicates any assessment of Miami’s offensive potential. The Dolphins have invested heavily in the draft, with several rookies already stepping into significant roles under new head coach Jeff Hafley, who is still seeking his first NFL win.
On the Bengals’ offensive line, rookie guard Kadyn Proctor will draw attention as he faces off against Dolphins defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Proctor, standing 6’7” and weighing 366 pounds, brings size that matches or exceeds Lawrence’s. Over the last two games, Proctor has allowed just two pressures, a promising sign as he teams up with center Aaron Brewer and right guard Jonah Savaiinaea to contain Lawrence. Lawrence has been a dominant force for Miami, consistently demanding double and triple teams and disrupting offensive pockets. His presence is felt even beyond the stat sheet, and he has recently begun to attract holding penalties due to his overwhelming power. An analysis by Bengals & Brews on October 5 described Lawrence as one of the most dominant defensive players to wear Bengals stripes this season.
On the opposite side, rookie receiver Chris Bell, recovering from a torn ACL last December, has shown glimpses of his potential despite limited action. Bell’s five receptions for 92 yards include a 67-yard touchdown catch against Minnesota that was nullified due to stepping out of bounds. The Bengals will rely on cornerback DJ Turner to contain Bell. Turner has allowed a 61.1% completion rate this season, up from 46.8% last year, and has already committed two penalties across four games. Preventing Bell from gaining momentum early will be crucial for Cincinnati’s secondary.
Running back Ollie Gordon stands out as Miami’s offensive threat on the ground after rushing for 100 yards on just nine carries against Minnesota, an average of 11.1 yards per attempt. At 6’2” and 225 pounds, Gordon uses his size and power to challenge defenses. The Bengals’ linebackers Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter, both entering their second seasons, will need to maintain their tackling discipline to limit his impact. In their previous outing against Jacksonville, Knight and Carter did not miss a tackle, a performance they will have to replicate to keep Miami’s rushing attack in check.
Quarterback Joe Burrow enters this game fresh off a 428-yard passing effort against Jacksonville but also with concerns over ball security. He threw two turnovers in that game, including an interception to a linebacker late in the second half. Miami’s linebacker corps, led by Jordyn Brooks and rookie Jacob Rodriguez, poses a significant challenge for Burrow. Brooks recently signed a three-year, $51 million extension with the Dolphins and has been one of the league’s most effective linebackers in recent years. Rodriguez, a second-round pick in the 2026 draft and a former first-team All-American at Texas Tech, leads the league in tackles and recorded 18 tackles against Minnesota. His presence on the field disrupts opposing offenses and increases the risk of turnovers.
The Bengals will need to manage these individual matchups carefully to avoid giving Miami their first win of the season under Coach Hafley. The game promises to test Cincinnati’s offensive line against a disruptive defensive tackle, challenge their secondary against a returning receiver, and pit their quarterback against a relentless linebacker duo. As the teams prepare for Sunday, the Bengals are aware that this is not a simple contest against a winless team but a tough examination of their weaknesses and strengths.
According to Yahoo Sports.
