Joe Burrow threw four touchdown passes to lead the Cincinnati Bengals to a 31-24 victory over the winless Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Burrow’s efficient start, featuring three touchdown throws in the first half, helped the Bengals build an 18-point lead that held despite a late Miami rally.
Burrow completed 23 of 32 passes for 190 yards, finding tight end Mike Gesicki for a 4-yard touchdown just 52 seconds into the game. He followed that up with scoring strikes to running back Samaje Perine and tight end Tanner Hudson before halftime. Burrow’s 45-yard bomb to wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase stood out, with Chase catching the ball one-handed after it bounced off his shoulder. Chase finished with six receptions for 77 yards.
Miami’s quarterback Malik Willis had a difficult day, completing 15 of 27 passes for 137 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. The Dolphins trailed early after finishing the first 29 minutes with just one completed pass. Willis threw a 3-yard touchdown to Kevin Coleman Jr. and added a 1-yard rushing score late in the game, but the Dolphins failed to recover the onside kick that followed, ending their comeback hopes.
The Bengals capitalised on Miami’s special teams errors, including an 81-yard kickoff return by Dohnte Meyers that set up Burrow’s opening touchdown. Cincinnati’s defense also made big plays, with safety Jordan Battle intercepting Willis twice in the second half and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen recording a sack and forced fumble.
Miami’s running back Ollie Gordon scored the Dolphins’ lone first-half touchdown on a 1-yard run and rushed for 88 yards total. Despite outgaining the Bengals 331 to 307 in total yards and holding a 217 to 117 advantage on the ground, Miami’s three turnovers proved costly.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor acknowledged Miami’s resilience but credited his team for holding on. "We've certainly been in those games before, where we let them slip away. Credit to Miami, they fought us tooth and nail to the very end," Taylor said.
After the match, Burrow admitted the Bengals offense had to improve despite the win. "If we want to be the team we think we're going to be, we've got to be better than that," he said.
Willis reflected on Miami’s ongoing struggles. "Turnovers … all the same stuff. You are inspired by the fight we can put on tape, but you are let down by the results," he said.
With the win, Cincinnati improved to 3-2, while Miami remains without a victory at 0-5. Both teams will have a bye in Week 6.
According to Yahoo Sports.
