This Sunday, the Dolphins take the Bengals on a deep dive, and only one team comes up for air. The Miami Dolphins have started the season full of holes, suffering disappointing loss after disappointing loss, and have even lost one of their best and most explosive players in De'Von Achane. The Bengals, meanwhile, are 2-2, with only eight points separating them from a perfect 4-0 start. Like a predator that stalks on land and one that hunts in the ocean, the Bengals and Dolphins couldn't be more different.
Cincinnati has quietly played much better football than its record suggests. Their two losses came by a combined eight points, and Joe Burrow continues to operate one of the league's most dangerous passing attacks. With Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins stretching defenses, the Bengals possess the firepower to expose a Miami defense that has struggled to get consistent stops and has allowed opponents to sustain long drives throughout the season. Their status remains in question ahead of this week, but I expect a least one to play.
On the other side, the Dolphins appear to be searching for answers. Injuries have thinned their roster, the offense has lacked its usual explosiveness and the running game takes a significant hit without Achane. Against a Bengals defense capable of generating pressure and forcing mistakes, Miami may find itself fighting an uphill battle for much of the afternoon.
While Miami is still dangerous enough to land a few punches, Cincinnati appears to be the more complete team in nearly every phase. The Bengals have been a few plays away from being undefeated, and this feels like the type of matchup where that underlying quality finally shows on the scoreboard. Lay the points and back Cincinnati -6.5 to win comfortably.
Bengals vs Dolphins best bet: Bengals -6.5 (-120) available at time of publishing. Playable to -7 (-110).
