Quick thoughts from South Florida Sun Sentinel staffers on the Dolphins’ loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium as Miami falls to 0-5 and heads into their bye week.
Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist
Progress from the previous two games came to an abrupt halt Sunday as the record heat at Hard Rock Stadium seemed to affect the Dolphins more than the Bengals. Yes, Miami had its season bests in touchdowns, points and rushing yards, but they lost again and they made too many mistakes again. Corrections must be made after the bye.
David Furones, Dolphins Writer
The difference between these teams can simply be found in the quarterbacks. Joe Burrow tore the Dolphins up again, as he did last December in Miami Gardens. Malik Willis, at one point, had thrown two interceptions compared to one completion. The microcosm of the game came when the Dolphins had a chance at the half-yard line to make it a one-possession game in the third quarter, and they only went backward to settle for a field goal. This team had played better the previous two weeks to hang tight against Chiefs and Vikings. This was a step back before the bye.
Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor
The Dolphins were excellent in their ground game, but were hobbled by the differential in quarterback. Joe Burrow, unbothered as the Dolphins’ pass rush in Minnesota went back into hibernation, was dominant, and Malik Willis, conversely had his worst game of the season, making a number of wayward throwing decisions, tossing a handful of interceptions or should-have-been picks.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor
The Dolphins defense was no problem for Joe Burrow, while Malik Willis was exposing the ball to the Bengals far too often. Now, a week off before playing at the Jets.