MIAMI GARDENS — The winless Miami Dolphins (0-4) host the Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in their last game before their bye week. Although Miami began the week as a seven-point underdog, this could be its breakthrough game considering Cincinnati’s injury situation.

The Dolphins have shown recent improvement in areas such as rushing offense and pass rush, and the Bengals, led by former Dolphins coach Zac Taylor and superstar quarterback Joe Burrow. are riding back-to-back losses.

This is Miami’s only home game in the month of October. The Dolphins visit the New York Jets on Oct. 25, the week after the bye so a victory on Sunday could set them up for back-to-back wins.

But before we get too far ahead, let’s look at five things to watch for in Sunday’s game against Cincinnati:

Bengals WR health

Cincinnati wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) and Tee Higgins (groin) are question marks for the game and their participation could be a deciding factor in the outcome. Chase (21 receptions, 212 yards, three touchdowns) is in the discussion for best wide receiver in the NFL and Higgins (25 receptions, 401 yards, one touchdown) is in the discussion for best No. 2 wide out in the NFL.

The Dolphins’ secondary of cornerbacks JuJu Brents, Chris Johnson, Jason Marshall Jr., and safeties Michael Taaffe and Dante Trader Jr. will be challenged if either Chase or Higgins plays.

Dolphins playing clean game

The Dolphins have been plagued by untimely penalties, especially after they cross the 50-yard line. They’ve also had to deal with missed assignments, coverage busts and self-inflicted damage. These problems have slowed the entire operation and made it tougher for the Dolphins to get their first victory.

For example, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle scored a touchdown on an apparent coverage bust. Quarterback Malik Willis lost a fumble on a scramble. Punter Bradley Pinion dropped the ball before punting it and the result was a lost possession on downs at the Dolphins’ 28-yard line, which resulted in a 49ers touchdown two plays later.

Special teams

There have been too many miscues in this area. There’s been issues on kickoff return, punt return, kickoffs, punts and field goal attempts. It’s understood that the Dolphins are rebuilding and the bottom one-third of their roster is constantly churning, which causes issues with coaching and cohesion on special teams. However, running back/kickoff returner Jaylen Wright can’t muff kickoffs and wide receiver/punt returner Malik Washington can’t muff a punt deep in Dolphins territory. And you can’t compound that mistake with an illegal block above the waist that starts the possession on your opponent’s 10-yard line.

When coaches use the term “hidden yardage,” a phrase that describes lost yardage that’s not necessarily reflected in statistics, look at special teams on things such as muffed returns.

Dolphins taking a lead

The Dolphins haven’t had a lead all season. They’ve only scored seven points in the first quarter and seven points in the fourth quarter. It’s little wonder they’re last in the league in points per game (11.5). Miami’s opponents have scored 24 points in the first quarter, 30 points in the second quarter, 34 points in the third quarter and 13 points in the fourth quarter.

The Dolphins haven’t scored more than 13 points in a game, and they haven’t registered more than one touchdown in a game.

Pass protection

This could be where the game is decided whether or not Chase and Higgins play. Cincinnati is tied for third in sacks (14.0). Coach Jeff Hafley thinks the Bengals might have the best defensive line that they’ve faced. Tackles Dexter Lawrence (3.0 sacks), Jonathan Allen (2.0 sacks) and Kris Jenkins (2.0 sacks) are flanked by defensive ends Boye Mafe (2.0 sacks) and Myles Murphy (1.5 sacks).

The Dolphins have allowed 11.0 sacks, tied for third-most in the league. Center Aaron Brewer is the best in not allowing a sack, a streak that covers 267 snaps. But that’s only the 47th-longest streak in the NFL. Protecting Willis, who has acknowledged some of the sacks have been his fault due to holding the ball too long, will be at a premium.

Dolphins Deep Dive: Can Miami beat an injured Bengals team? | VIDEO