Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals vs Miami Dolphins Predictions, Odds & Expert Picks for NFL Week 16 2025 for Sunday, 12/21/25

Hard Rock StadiumCBS
Bengals
4-10
Bengals
Sun Dec 21
Dolphins
6-8
Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
Google News

Bengals vs Dolphins Pickswise Expert Predictions

Point Spread Pick
CIN Bengals -4.0(-110)

The Cincinnati Bengals head to Miami this Sunday for a matchup against the Dolphins, and both teams are already counting down the days until next season. Cincinnati had its season derailed when QB Joe Burrow exited their Week 2 game with a turf toe injury, but things haven’t been much better since he returned. After a big win over the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving night, Cincinnati has dropped two in a row to the Bills and Ravens, and they weren’t even competitive last week against Baltimore, falling 24-0. Luckily for them, they’ll be going up against a 6-8 Dolphins team that will now be turning to rookie QB Quinn Ewers after head coach Mike McDaniels announced the benching of Tua Tagovailoa. Both teams are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but I expect the Bengals will be the team with a stronger response after last week’s embarrassing defeat.

The Phins started turning heads during their four-game win streak, but three of those wins came against the Commanders, Saints and Jets. Additionally, they showed little life in last week’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and fell behind 28-3 before scoring 2 garbage-time touchdowns. Additionally, the Bengals being shut out last week actually gives them a boost based on historical trends; since 2015, teams that were shut out in the previous week are 35-17-3 against the spread in their next game and a perfect 5-0 ATS this season. This marked the Bengals’ first shutout with Burrow as the QB, and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll want to bounce back in a big way.Finally, McDaniel and the Dolphins have been awful on short rest; they’re just 3-10 since he took over, losing by 8.2 PPG. Although the Bengals have struggled this year, they’ll be facing a rookie QB in his first start after a disappointing loss; give me Cincinnati to win big on Sunday.

Bengals vs Dolphins prediction: Bengals -4 (-110) available at the time of publishing, playable down to -5.5.

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Game Totals Pick
Over 47.5(-110)

I expect Cincinnati to win big this weekend, and they’re going to need to do most of the scoring to push this one over. However, I do think Miami can still put up points, even with a rookie QB, because of how bad this Bengals defense has been all season. Cincinnati is allowing 31.2 PPG (last in the NFL), and although they’ve had to face Lamar Jackson twice, Josh Allen and Drake Maye over the last four weeks, they’ve allowed plenty of points to quarterbacks that are a tier below those three. They gave up 39 points to the Justin Fields-led Jets in Week 8, 48 to Carson Wentz and the Vikings in Week 3 and 65 over 2 games against a Steelers team that averages just 24 PPG. I expect Miami to rely on RB De’Von Achane even more with Ewers under center, especially because the Bengals allow 5.3 yards per carry (30th in the NFL). 

On the flip side, I’m not high on this Miami defense either. They’re giving up 6.8 yards per pass attempt (20th in the NFL) and will now face a Bengals offense with extra motivation after being shut out. Additionally, Cinci scored 32 and 34 before last week’s shutout, and it looks like they’ll be getting WR Tee Higgins back from a concussion. Although Higgins will likely play, Miami could miss some key pieces on defense. S Minkah Fitzpatrick is doubtful, and leading tackle LB Jordyn Brooks is questionable and didn’t practice on Wednesday. This defense is beat up and is playing on short rest; I can’t see them suddenly turning things around. All in all, I expect this game to end in the 35-17 range, which should be enough to cash the Over.

Bengals vs Dolphins prediction: Over 47.5 (-110) available at the time of publishing, playable up to 48.5.

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Luke Lindholm

Luke Lindholm is the North American Content Editor for Spotlight Sports Group (SSG) and is living in Boston, Massachusetts. Luke has been handicapping the NFL, NCAAF, MLS, and other major Soccer tournaments since 2021 and loves sharing knowledge with other knowledgeable handicappers in the sports betting industry. For Luke Lindholm media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.
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