South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Who has the edge? Dolphins vs. Bengals
When the Dolphins run: The Dolphins are looking for a clear No. 1 running back to finish this season. Leading rusher Myles Gaskin (knee) is working his way back after a month off. Rookie Salvon Ahmed is dealing with a recent shoulder injury. DeAndre Washington, who finished the Jets game last week, is dealing with a hamstring strain. Veteran Matt Breida hasn’t had many opportunities and had a fumble last week against the Jets. As did second-year back Patrick Laird, who sparingly has opportunities on offense. Whichever player steps up should do well against the Bengals, who give up the third-most rushing yards per game this season. Edge: Dolphins.
When the Bengals run: Lead back Joe Mixon (right foot) will miss his third game on injured reserve, and the Bengals rushing attack has suffered in his absence. Giovani Bernard, the former St. Thomas Aquinas standout, had 32 yards in his last outing against the Giants last week. No Bengals player had more than 20 yards rushing in the game before that. The Dolphins defense, 26th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed, could see a boost in that regard in Sunday’s game. Edge: Dolphins.
When the Dolphins pass: The Dolphins hope Tua Tagovailoa (left thumb) can make his return to the starting lineup after an ideal practice week. Tagovailoa has completed 61.9 percent of his passes for 602 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions in four starts, and hopes to rebound from his last game against the Denver Broncos, where he was sacked six times and threw for just 83 yards in a loss. If Tagovailoa is unable to play, the Dolphins will return to veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, who threw two touchdowns last week against the Jets. Either quarterback should do enough to beat the Bengals, who are 22nd in scoring defense (26.3 points) and 26th in yards allowed (390.5 per game) and playing with a backup quarterback. Edge: Dolphins
When the Bengals pass: With No. 1 pick Joe Burrow out for the season after a major knee injury, the Bengals have named former practice squader Brandon Allen as their new starting quarterback. Allen was as 17 of 29 for 136 yards with one touchdown, one interception and a lost fumble on the Bengals’ final drive in their loss to the Giants last week. And he’ll face the Dolphins defense, which has confused inexperienced quarterbacks all season. The Dolphins are second giving up just 18.6 points per game despite ranking 20th with 369.6 yards allowed per game this season. Edge: Dolphins.
Special teams: The Dolphins and Bengals are considered two of the top special teams units in the NFL with this third phase of the game expected to play a major factor in Sunday’s outcome. The Dolphins have relied on kicker Jason Sanders to be automatic, punter Matt Haack to flip field position and returner Jakeem Grant, who scored a return touchdown this season, to gain yards before drives. The Bengals, who are Top 10 in kick and punt return yards and punting average, have also depended on big plays like Brandon Wilson’s 103-yard kick return five minutes into last week’s game. Sanders, who missed just one field goal this season, gives Miami an edge. Edge: Dolphins.
Intangibles: Dolphins coach Brian Flores is making serious headway during his second season of Miami’s rebuild with his team sitting second in the AFC East and in sixth place in the AFC standings, in line for a wildcard playoff spot. If the Dolphins are can win at least three of their final five games, they could make the playoffs for the third time since the 2001 season. Stopping the Bengals, who are starting a backup quarterback would be a nice start. Bengals coach Zac Taylor, a former Dolphins quarterback coach, is 4-22-1, while Flores holds a 12-15 record since both were hired during the 2019 offseason. The Dolphins have won 12 of their last 20 games, including 9 of the last 13. Edge: Dolphins.
Prediction: Dolphins 27, Bengals 3.