Bengals edge winless Dolphins 31-24 as missed extra point seals spread

Key points

• Joe Burrow completed 23 of 32 passes for 190 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Bengals to a 31-24 victory.
• Ja'Marr Chase recorded six receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown, surpassing Isaac Curtis for third on the Bengals' all-time receiving list.
• Malik Willis finished 15 of 27 for 137 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions, and a lost fumble, marking his worst game of the season.
• Riley Patterson missed the extra point off the left upright with under one minute remaining, preventing the Dolphins from tying the game at 31.
• The Dolphins became the fifth team since 1950 to not hold a lead in any of their first five games, remaining winless at 0-5.

Background

The Bengals entered Week 5 as favorites after losing two consecutive games, with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins cleared to play after being questionable due to injuries. The Dolphins were winless at 0-4, with SportsLine AI previously forecasting a close upset for Miami. The game took place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

How outlets are covering it

CBS Sports emphasized the betting angle, noting that the missed extra point allowed Bengals -6.5 spread bettors to cover, while +7 bettors pushed. The Sun Sentinel focused on the Dolphins' struggles, highlighting Willis's poor performance, special teams issues, and the hottest October home game in franchise history at 90 degrees. The Cincinnati Bengals official recap highlighted Burrow's four-touchdown performance and Chase's milestone, while noting Jordan Battle's two interceptions. The Phinsider, a fan community site, did not provide post-game analysis as the article was published before the game outcome was known.

Why it matters

The result solidifies the Bengals' position at 3-2, their best five-game start since 2021, while the Dolphins' 0-5 start raises concerns about their offensive and defensive consistency. The missed extra point highlighted the critical role of special teams in close games, and the Dolphins' inability to hold a lead in five games marks a historic poor start.

What to watch

The Bengals will have a bye week before traveling to Baltimore for Week 7. The Dolphins will also have a bye week before facing the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 25.