Kickoff: 8:15 PM ET (7:15 PM CT)
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Broadcast: CBS: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, Aditi Kinkhabwala (field reporter), NFL Network (national prime-time), NFL+ (streaming)
Local radio on WLW (Bengals) and WINZ (Dolphins)
Capacity: ~65,000 (expected solid turnout with mild weather; Dolphins fans dominant, some Bengals travelers)
The Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) travel to face the Miami Dolphins (6-8) in a late-season AFC matchup with little playoff relevance but pride and draft implications on the line. Cincinnati, eliminated early and hampered by injuries/off-field issues, looks to play spoiler on a short-week Saturday night. Miami, fading after a promising start but still mathematically alive for a wildcard (longshot), aims for a home win to build momentum into 2026. This is the second meeting of 2025—Dolphins won 30-24 in Week 6 at Paycor Stadium behind Tua Tagovailoa’s efficient day and opportunistic defense.
Team Records
Cincinnati Bengals: 4-10 overall (2-4 AFC North, last in division)
Miami Dolphins: 6-8 overall (3-3 AFC East, 3rd in division)
Both teams underachieved expectations; Bengals plagued by injuries/turnovers, Dolphins by defensive lapses.
Recent Team Forms
Cincinnati Bengals (2-8 in last 10; 3 straight losses): Zac Taylor’s squad has collapsed, most recently falling 27-13 to Pittsburgh on December 15 with backup QB play struggling and defense unable to stop the run. Offense inconsistent without full health; defense bottom-10 in points allowed lately. Road form poor (1-6 away).
Miami Dolphins (4-6 in last 10; alternating results): Mike McDaniel’s group shows flashes but inconsistency, coming off a 24-20 loss to Houston on December 15 where late turnovers doomed them. Tua Tagovailoa healthy and efficient; speed offense potent at home but defense vulnerable to physicality. Home form better (4-3).
Weather Updates
Miami Gardens, FL (December 20, 2025 evening kickoff): Partly cloudy with scattered showers possible early, temperatures 76-80°F at kickoff dropping to low 70s. Humidity high (~70%), light winds SE 5-10 mph, 20-30% chance of brief rain. Typical South Florida winter—warm and muggy; favors passing offenses, minimal impact on grip/kicking but potential slick field if showers hit.
Injury Report (as of December 18 practice reports)
Cincinnati Bengals:
Out: QB Joe Burrow (wrist/season-ending, IR), WR Ja’Marr Chase (shoulder, IR), DE Trey Hendrickson (neck).
Questionable: RB Chase Brown (ankle, limited), CB Mike Hilton (knee).
Probable: TE Mike Gesicki.
Impact: Offense severely depleted without Burrow/Chase; backup QB (Jake Browning or similar) under pressure.
Miami Dolphins:
Out: WR Jaylen Waddle (hamstring, week-to-week), LB Jerome Baker (knee).
Questionable: RB Raheem Mostert (hip, limited; trending play), CB Jalen Ramsey (vet rest/knee).
Probable: QB Tua Tagovailoa (full), WR Tyreek Hill.
Impact: Speed offense misses Waddle; defense solid but secondary tested if Ramsey limited.
Dolphins healthier at key positions; Bengals’ absences explain poor record.
Key Player Matchups
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa vs. Bengals Secondary: Tua (accurate, quick release) exploits depleted Bengals DBs; warm weather aids deep shots to Tyreek Hill (if Ramsey plays, covers opposite).
Dolphins RB De’Von Achane/Raheem Mostert (if plays) vs. Bengals Front Seven: Miami’s explosive speed rush tests Bengals’ weak run D (150+ YPG allowed); big plays likely in open field.
Bengals Backup QB vs. Dolphins Pass Rush: Inexperienced signal-caller faces aggressive Dolphins blitzes (Jevon Holland impact); turnovers probable without Burrow’s escapability.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins (remaining target) vs. Dolphins CBs: Higgins seeks volume; Ramsey (if active) shadows for lockdown potential.
Special Teams Edge: Dolphins’ Jason Sanders reliable; Bengals inconsistent in humid conditions.
Series History
All-time: Dolphins lead 18-12 (including playoffs).
Recent: Dolphins won 5 of last 7, including 30-24 in Week 6 (Tua 300+ yards, Hill 150+ receiving).
This season: Dolphins won first meeting; Bengals seek rare road split.
Trend: Higher-scoring in Miami (warm weather); Dolphins dominate at home vs. Cincinnati.
Betting Trends
Trends: Dolphins 7-3 ATS last 10 home; Bengals 3-9 ATS as road underdog. Series Overs in Miami (6 of last 8).
Historical: Favorites cover ~70% when Bengals depleted; warm December games trend high totals.
BENGASLS NOTES:
• QB JOE BURROW completed 25 of 39 atts. (64.1 pct.) for 225 yards in Week 15. Aims for his 4th in row with 225+ pass yards. Needs 40 pass yards to become 5th ever with 20,000 pass yards in 1st 75 career games. Needs 2 TD passes to surpass Aaron Rodgers (76 games) as 3rd-fastest ever to reach 150 TD passes. Completed 20 of 31 atts. (64.5 pct.) for 287 yards & 2 TDs with 115.9 rating in last meeting. • RB CHASE BROWN had 7 catches & 90 scrimmage yards (53 rush, 37 rec.) last week. Has 90+ scrimmage yards in 7 of his past 8. • RB SAMAJE PERINE rushed for 42 yards in Week 15. • WR JA’MARR CHASE had 10 catches for 132 yards last week, his 75th-career game & 11th game with 10+ receptions, most ever in 1st 5 seasons. Surpassed Odell Beckham Jr. (6,511) for 4th-most rec. yards all-time in 1st 75 games. Is 1 of 2 (HOFer Randy Moss) all-time with 6,500+ rec. yards (6,572) & 50+ rec. TDs (51) in 1st 5 seasons. Had 4 catches for 81 yards in last meeting. • TE MIKE GESICKI spent 1st 5 seasons (2018-22) with Mia., totaling 231 receptions, 2,617 rec. yards & 18 rec. TDs. • LB DEMETRIUS KNIGHT had 6 tackles, 2 sacks & FF in Week 15. Ranks 2nd among rookies with 94 tackles in 2025. Aims for his 5th in row with 5+ tackles. • DE JOSEPH OSSAI had 3 tackles last week. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4. • DE B.J. HILL had 5 tackles in Week 15. Had 4 tackles & PD in last meeting. • DE MYLES MURPHY had 2 sacks last week. • CB DJ TURNER had 2 tackles in Week 15. Has PD in 3 of his past 4. Leads NFL with 17 PD in 2025. • S GENO STONE had 4 tackles last week. Aims for his 9th in row with 4+ tackles. Had 8 tackles & INT in his last game vs. Mia. (12/31/23 w/ Bal.). • S JORDAN BATTLE had 8 tackles, TFL & INT in Week 15. Aims for his 3rd in row with 8+ tackles & PD.
DOLPHINS NOTES:
• QB TUA TAGOVAILOA completed 22 of 28 atts. (78.6 pct.) for 253 yards & 2 TDs vs. INT wtih 113.2 rating in Week 13. Has 60+ comp. pct. & 170+ pass yards in 10 of his past 11 at Hard Rock Stadium. Passed for 110 yards in last meeting. • RB DE’VON ACHANE led team with 127 scrimmage yards (67 rec., 60 rush) last week. Aims for his 7th in row with 105+ scrimmage yards. Has TD in 10 of his past 11 at Hard Rock Stadium. • WR JAYLEN WADDLE has 5+ catches & 80+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4 at Hard Rock Stadium. Had 39 rec. yards in last meeting. • TE DARREN WALLER had 7 catches for 66 yards & 2 TDs in Week 15. Has rec. TD in 2 of his 3 games at Hard Rock Stadium this season. Had 7 catches for 116 yards in his last game vs. Cin. (11/21/21 w/ LV). • LB JORDYN BROOKS had 13 tackles, 2 TFL, sack & PD last week. Leads NFL with 155 tackles in 2025. Has 12+ tackles in 7 games this season, most in NFL. Aims for his 4th in row with TFL. Had 7 tackles in his only career game vs. Cin. (10/15/23 w/ Sea.). • LB CHOP ROBINSON had 1st PD of season in Week 15. Has sack in 2 of his past 3. • LB TYREL DODSON had 10 tackles last week. Has PD in 2 of his past 3. Aims for his 6th in row at Hard Rock Stadium with 8+ tackles. Had 9 tackles & 2 TFL in his only career game vs. Cin. (11/5/23 w/ Buf.). • LB WILLIE GAY aims for his 3rd in row vs. Cin. with 5+ tackles & TFL. • DT ZACH SIELER had sack in Week 15. Aims for his 3rd in row with sack. • DT ZEEK BIGGERS (rookie) had sack last week. • CB JACK JONES had 8 tackles in Week 15. Has 5+ tackles in 4 of his past 5 at Hard Rock Stadium. Had 4 tackles, 2 PD & INT-TD in his only career game vs. Cin. (11/3/24 w/ LV). • S MINKAH FITZPATRICK had 6 tackles & TFL last week. Has 6+ tackles & TFL in 3 of his past 4.
Game Odds
Cincinnati Bengals – 4.5
Miami Dolphins 47.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, December 20, 2025
