Can Dolphins improve to 4-0?

MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-0) at CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-2) LINE: Cincinnati by 4

The numbers don't always make sense. How is Cincinnati favoured here, let alone by more than a field goal? I love the Bengals, but they didn't get their first win (2712) until last week against a Jets team that is, time should tell, what we thought it was. Cincy had a total of 69 yards rushing (which once again begs the question, where did you go RB Joe Mixon?) But the club did have a good day protecting Joe Burrow, who was sacked only twice. That's big for the Bengals, who have allowed their star QB to be thrown to the ground 15 times, giving him the dubious distinction of being tied for the leaguelead in that category with 15 sacks through three weeks.

The Dolphins, who opened the season with a win over New England then came from behind to beat Baltimore and Buffalo in Weeks 2 and 3, are the only undefeated team in the AFC. They have the fourthranked pass offence with an average of 355.3 yards per game. They're tied for the second-best yards per play average (6.4). They're eighth in average points scored, with 27.7 per game.

Their defence bends, but doesn't always break, as only one team (Baltimore) has allowed more total yards than they have (413.7 per game) but only 15 have given up fewer points (21.3 per game).

They also have a good history with these opponents, beating the Bengals 17 of the last 22 they've faced them.

I know they're on a short week, and there are questions about Tua Tagovailoa's banged-up back and ankle, but Teddy Bridgewater is a better than average replacement and he's defeated the Bengals two of the three times he's played them.

The Bengals are going to be a factor in the AFC once again — and they could be the first team this season to sink the Fish — but it should be a battle to the end.

TAKING: MIAMI +4