The Phinsider
The Miami Dolphins hosted the Cincinnati Bengals in a Week 16 showdown on Sunday afternoon. They played the part of host well, basically allowing the Bengals to do whatever they wanted in the second half in route to a second-straight embarrassing loss to an AFC North team. The game was close at halftime, with the Dolphins starting with the ball, only to have multiple turnovers blow the doors off anything Miami wanted to do.
The first career start at quarterback for rookie Quinn Ewers, who replaced the benched Tua Tagovailoa, did not do anything to spark Miami’s play. Interceptions, fumbles, and turnovers on downs doomed Miami in the second half.
Below you will find our full-game recap of all the action. Reactions are in italics.
Bengals 45 – 21 Dolphins
The Dolphins won the coin toss and, after weeks of takin the ball first, elected to defer to the second half. Cincinnati opened the game with the ball, convering on a 3rd-and-8 with a pass from quarterback Joe Burrow to wide receiver Jamar Chase for exactly eight yards on the third play of the drive. Facing a 3rd-and-6 three plays later, Burrow looked to pass, but Miami defensive tackle Zach Sieler cut through two offensive linemen to get to Burrow’s blindside and record a sack. The Bengals were forced to punt.
Good defensive start. Getting Sieler hot early will be a good thing for the defense. In a game with a rookie quarterback making his first start, the defense is going to have to be effective.
Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers entered the game as the team’s starting quarterback with head coach Mike McDaniel clearly trying to take the pressure off his seventh-round pick. Running back De’Von Achane picked up four yards on the first play, then was stopped for no gain on a pass from Ewers in the flat. On 3rd-and-6, Ewers hesitated on a couple of potential passes, then threw a jump ball as the pressure reached him, with tight end Darren Waller making a play to come down with the 22-yard pass. The drive stalled shortly thereafter, however, with a reverse run from running back Jaylen Wright picking up four yards, Achane adding another four yards, but running back Ollie Gordon II losing a yard on 3rd-and-2, leading to a punt.
The third-down pass attempt was scary, with Ewers looking like a rookie surprised by the speed of the pass rush. Waller made a great play to come up with the ball, saving his quarterback. Miami is going to run the ball all day and the Bengals defense knows it, so it will be up to the offensive line to create space for Achane, Wright, and Gordon.
Cincinnati started at their nine-yard line after a good punt from Miami’s Jake Bailey, but then Burrow laid out a...
