Week 5 at Hard Rock Stadium
Cincinnati brings a 2–1 start to Miami Gardens, where the NFL’s youngest team is looking for its first win of the Jeff Hafley era.
Game Details
- Matchup
- Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins
- Date
- Kickoff
- TV
- FOX
- Venue
- Hard Rock Stadium, 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens, FL 33056
- Official tickets
- Bengals vs. Dolphins ticket information
Two Starts Moving in Opposite Directions
As of October 1, Cincinnati is 2–1 after wins over Tampa Bay and Houston and a three-point loss at Pittsburgh. Miami is 0–3 after opening on the road twice and losing its home opener to Kansas City. Both teams play again on October 4, so their records—and the tone around this game—will change before kickoff.
The current setup gives Miami an immediate measuring stick. The Dolphins entered the season as the NFL’s youngest team, and Malik Willis opened the Jeff Hafley era as the starting quarterback. Cincinnati’s own schedule analysis identifies protection by rookie first-round tackle Kadyn Proctor as one of this matchup’s pressure points.
Last Year’s Meeting Adds an Edge
Cincinnati’s previous trip to Miami ended in a decisive 45–21 win late in the 2025 season. The Bengals turned four consecutive third-quarter takeaways—including a fourth-down stop—into four touchdowns, while Joe Burrow recorded a 146.5 passer rating, the best road mark in franchise history.
That result does not predict this meeting, especially after Miami’s coaching and roster changes. It does clarify the challenge: the Dolphins need to protect the ball and avoid giving Cincinnati’s offense short fields. For the Bengals, the opportunity is to maintain early momentum before their Week 6 bye.
Three Things to Watch
- The official NFL schedule lists a 1 p.m. EDT kickoff on FOX.
- Cincinnati’s passing game and Miami’s developing protection plan create the clearest contrast entering the matchup.
- The game is also connected to the first Flanigan’s Fin Fest, adding a distinctly South Florida element to the day.
This game arrives early enough that neither season is defined, but late enough for trends to matter. Miami gets a chance to answer a difficult start at home; Cincinnati gets a chance to show that its early momentum can travel.
