Bengals vs. Dolphins Preview, Picks and Prediction, Sunday, December 21, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Cincinnati Bengals will visit the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium for Week 16 NFL action. We have you ready to go with our Bengals vs. Dolphins prediction, preview, and picks. Kickoff from Miami is at 1:00 p.m. ET.
The Bengals are four-point spread favorites, and the game total is 47.5 points scored.
These teams last played in 2022, a game Cincy won 27-15. If you want the Bengals vs. Dolphins prediction, read on and check out our NFL Picks to beat the sportsbooks!
Bengals have lost six of their last seven games
Cincinnati (4-10 SU, 6-8 ATS, and 7-6-1 O/U) lost 24-0 to Baltimore last game, failing to cover the 3.5-point spread.
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Cincy was shut out for the fourth time by Baltimore, and the first time since its 2017 season opener. The Bengals were outgained despite running 31 more plays than the Ravens and holding the football for nearly twice as long. They averaged just 3.4 yards per rush and 4.7 yards per pass with two turnovers. Baltimore broke the scoreless tie with 14 points in the second quarter and never looked back.
Joe Burrow leads the Bengals' passing attack with 959 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions in five games. He has completed 60.5 percent of his passes, averaging 6.1 yards per attempt. Burrow's top receiving targets are WRs Ja'Marr Chase (101 receptions for 1,147 yards and five TDs) and Tee Higgins (46 receptions for 667 yards and nine TDs). The Bengals' run game is paced by third-year pro Chase Brown (185 carries for 780 yards and three TDs).
Cincinnati scores 22.4 points per game (20th) and averages 314.0 total yards (23rd), including 226.6 passing yards (10th) and 87.4 rushing yards (31st). The Bengals' defense surrenders 31.2 points (32nd) and 403.8 total yards (32nd), including 245.9 passing yards (28th) and 157.9 rushing yards (32nd).
Cincinnati Bengals Injury Report:
- WR Tee Higgins (concussion) and DT B.J. Hill (ankle) are questionable, and DE Joseph Ossai (ankle), TE Noah Fant (ankle), and WR Charlie Jones (ankle) are out.
Dolphins didn't look inspired to compete last game
Miami (6-8 SU, 7-7 ATS, and 7-5-2 O/U) lost 28-15 to Pittsburgh on Monday, failing to cover as 3.5-point 'dogs.
The Steelers snapped the Dolphins' four-game win streak on MNF, as the visitors managed only three points until the fourth quarter. The home team was cool and comfortable, as Aaron Rodgers completed 85 percent of his passes and the Pittsburgh ground game averaged 4.2 yards per carry. Miami was just 2-for-8 on third down and ran 14 fewer plays than the Steelers.
Sixth-year NFL pro Tua Tagovailoa has been replaced by rookie signal-caller Quinn Ewers. The seventh-round pick out of Texas has appeared in just one NFL game, completing five of his eight passing attempts for 53 yards (6.6 YPA), including a long of 40 yards. Ewer's top receiving targets are WR Jaylen Waddle (59 receptions for 838 yards and six TDs) and RB De'Von Achane (61 receptions for 450 yards and four TDs). Achane also leads the Dolphins' ground game with 205 carries for 1,186 yards and seven rushing scores.
Miami scores 21.1 points per game (23rd) and averages 303.2 total yards (25th), including 181.3 passing yards (26th) and 121.9 rushing yards (14th). The Dolphins' defense gives up 23.1 points (16th) and 334.6 total yards (19th) per game, including 202.5 passing yards (12th) and 132.1 rushing yards (27th).
Miami Dolphins Injury Report:
- LB Jordyn Brooks (foot/knee), DB Elijah Campbell (ankle/knee), CB Isaiah Johnson (knee), DL Kenneth Grant (shoulder), and TE Darren Waller (rest/knee) are questionable.
- S Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf) is out, and K Jason Sanders (right hip) is unlikely to play.
Bengals vs. Dolphins Pick and Preview
Spread Pick for Bengals vs. Dolphins
- Dolphins +4 (5 Units)
I don't see Cincy's defense turning a corner over the final few weeks of the season, and Ewers will be comfortable enough in a no-lose situation at home, especially with a solid complementary run game to lean on. This is the perfect time for him to take off the band-aid and let it rip against a weak Bengals secondary. On the other side, Burrow will compete, but I won't count on him delivering a crowd-pleasing performance. He has completed a career-low 60.5 percent of his passes this season with just as many TDs (four) as INTs over the last two games.
Ewers' lack of experience makes Miami a volatile team to back ATS, but I see that as a valuable buying opportunity.
Over/Under Pick for Bengals vs. Dolphins
- Over 47.5 (5 Units)
Ewers will surprise some people on Sunday, driving the football downfield against a Bengals defense that ranks last in the NFL in defensive DVOA with the fifth-most passing yards allowed this season. Anticipate him to find TE Darren Waller (third on the team in red zone targets despite playing in just seven games) at least once near the end zone, as the visitors have given up 15 TDs to tight ends. Cincinnati has also surrendered the most rushing yards in the league, along with 18 rushing scores, and Miami is more than capable of taking advantage. The Dolphins' run game was humming before Monday's game and should respond nicely at home. As for the other side, there's no denying that Cincy looks much better with Burrow under center. He's a competitive playmaker who will play his best in the last few weeks, especially after missing so much game action earlier this year.
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