MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said earlier this week he wanted to see “conviction” from his players. Instead, Miami delivered another lopsided loss.
Joe Burrow threw four touchdown passes and the Cincinnati Bengals routed the Miami Dolphins 45-21 on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
The game marked the first career start for rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, a seventh-round draft pick, after McDaniel benched Tua Tagovailoa following his league-leading 15th interception in a 28-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Monday night.
Cincinnati struck first after Burrow moved the Bengals into scoring position, though Miami’s Zach Sieler recorded a sack to stall the drive. The Dolphins failed to capitalize, punting after running back Ollie Gordon II was stopped for a loss on third-and-2 near midfield.
Pinned at their own 10-yard line on the next possession, Burrow delivered a 35-yard completion to Tee Higgins with Jack Jones in coverage, then connected with Ja’Marr Chase for gains of 11 and 22 yards. Burrow capped the drive with a touchdown pass to Higgins, who toe-tapped along the right sideline of the end zone.
Miami answered when Ewers found Jaylen Waddle for a first down and De’Von Achane followed with a 49-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7.
The Bengals went three-and-out, but Miami couldn’t take advantage. After completions to Darren Waller and Cedrick Wilson Jr., Ewers missed Waddle on a deep pass and the Dolphins punted.
Burrow led Cincinnati back into scoring range with an 11-yard completion to former Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki.
After a combined sack by Chop Robinson and Kenneth Grant, Evan McPherson converted a field goal that caromed off the left upright and in, giving the Bengals a 10-7 lead.
Miami briefly regained momentum behind Ewers completions to Waller and Waddle, and a 10-yard run by Malik Washington.
Cincinnati answered with a 41-yard kickoff return by Tahj Brooks, then Burrow extended the drive by finding tight end Drew Sample for 27 yards on third-and-10. A Miami hands-to-the-face penalty set up a 4-yard touchdown run by Samaje Perine.
The Dolphins went to halftime trailing after Achane was stopped for a loss on third down, forcing another punt.
Ewers finished the half 10 of 12 for 109 yards, while Achane had nine carries for 65 yards and a touchdown. Burrow was 16 of 22 for 193 yards and a score.
Miami’s second-half struggles continued.
A long gain to Achane was erased by a pass-interference penalty, and on the next series the Bengals capitalized after tight end Evan Engram fumbled. Burrow later threw a touchdown pass to running back Chase Brown.
Ewers was intercepted when a pass intended for Theo Wease Jr. deflected into the hands of rookie linebacker Barrett Carter. Brown followed with a 15-yard touchdown run, pushing Cincinnati’s lead to two scores.
Miami turned the ball over on four straight possessions, including a failed fourth-and-1 quarterback sneak by Ewers. Burrow took advantage, hitting Chase for 36 yards before finding Brown again for a short touchdown.
Ewers later threw another interception intended for Waddle, and Burrow added his fourth touchdown pass of the day, this one to Gesicki, to make it 45-14. Burrow exited shortly thereafter.
Burrow finished 25 of 32 for 309 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Brown totaled 109 yards and three touchdowns, while Chase led all receivers with nine catches for 109 yards.
Miami, which entered the game ranked 31st in the NFL in third-quarter scoring, was shut out again in the period.
The Dolphins finally scored late when Ewers drove the team downfield and running back Jaylen Wright capped the possession with a 4-yard touchdown run.
Ewers finished the game going 14 of 21 for 149 yards 0 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Up next
Miami (6-9) hosts Tampa Bay (7-7) next Sunday. Cincinnati (5-10) hosts Arizona (3-11).
