Bengals vs. Dolphins – Preview
Sunday, 1:00pm ET • Hard Rock Stadium
Our Pick: Bengals -4

Cincinnati heads to Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday afternoon (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS) looking to do what it hasn’t done often in 2025: string together a clean, front-foot performance on the road. 

On paper, the records say “Dolphins.” Miami enters Week 16 at 6-8 while the Bengals sit at 4-10.  But the matchup context is exactly why Cincinnati is in the best position to cover the -4 number tonight. 

Start with the biggest variable: Miami is handing the offense to rookie Quinn Ewers as its starting quarterback.  That typically means a condensed game plan (more early-down runs, more quick throws) and, crucially for a spread, a higher chance of stalled drives or momentum-swinging mistakes when obvious passing situations arrive.

Now layer in Cincinnati’s identity. Even in a disappointing season, the Bengals have moved the ball at a high level—6.2 yards per play and 5,653 total offensive yards on NFL.com’s team stats page.  Miami’s offense, by comparison, sits at 5.4 yards per play with 4,685 total yards.  If the Bengals simply play to their efficiency baseline, they’re built to create separation.

The injury report also tilts Cincinnati’s way on the “cover math.” Miami lists S Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf) as OUT, while LB Jordyn Brooks (foot/knee) is questionable—two spots that matter against a Bengals passing game that loves attacking the middle and deep seams.  On the Bengals’ side, Joe Burrow practiced fully all week, while Tee Higgins is questionable and Noah Fant is OUT. 

The risk case is real: Cincinnati has allowed 31.2 points per game this season.  But with Miami turning to a rookie starter and missing key pieces on the back end, the cleaner path is Bengals control early, force Ewers into catch-up mode late, and cover the -4 with margin.