Bengals vs. Dolphins prediction: Picks for the Thursday prime-time game

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow looks to throw a pass during the first half of an NFL football game New York Jets, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 25: Joe Flacco #19 of the New York Jets controls the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 25, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals talks with side judge Jonah Monroe #120 after a play against the New York Jets during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 25, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 25: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against the New York Jets to Evan McPherson #2 (not pictured) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 25, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) warms up before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

Cincinnati Bengals' Vonn Bell, left, tackles New York Jets' Garrett Wilson (17) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

New York Jets' D.J. Reed (4) tackles Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Mixon (28) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

Cincinnati Bengals' Tyler Boyd (83) breaks a tackle by New York Jets' C.J. Mosley (57) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) gestures after making a catch as New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) and C.J. Mosley, right, get up during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Mixon, bottom right, dives past New York Jets' Solomon Thomas, left, and C.J. Mosley (57) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins reacts after getting hit hard on a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) is tackled by New York Jets' Michael Carter II in the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

Cincinnati Bengals' Tee Higgins (85) is tackled by New York Jets' Lamarcus Joyner during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

New York Jets center Connor McGovern (60) checks on Garrett Wilson after Wilson was hurt during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

New York Jets' Greg Zuerlein (6) kicks a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55) intercepts a pass to New York Jets' Braxton Berrios (10) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

The Cincinnati Bengals celebrate a Logan Wilson (55) interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

Cincinnati Bengals' Logan Wilson (55) runs past New York Jets' Max Mitchell (61) after making an interception during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) is rushed by Cincinnati Bengals' Cam Sample (96) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals' Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals' Cam Sample (96) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

Cincinnati Bengals' Mike Hilton (21) tackles New York Jets' Breece Hall (20) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

New York Jets running back Michael Carter (32) spins away from Cincinnati Bengals' Eli Apple (20) and BJ Hill (92) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco, center, is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals' Trey Hendrickson, right, and BJ Hill, left, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates with teammate Tee Higgins (85) after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates with Tee Higgins (85) after Chase caught a pass for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) is tackled by New York Jets' Michael Carter II in the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson (55) intercepts a pass to New York Jets' Braxton Berrios (10) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) gestures after making a catch as New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) and C.J. Mosley, right, get up during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

The Cincinnati Bengals celebrate a Logan Wilson (55) interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco, left, shakes hands with Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow after an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Bengals won 27-12. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) is rushed by Cincinnati Bengals' Cam Sample (96) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals' Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

New York Jets quarterback Joe Flacco (19) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals' Cam Sample (96) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) AP

Cincinnati Bengals' Jessie Bates III (30) celebrates after intercepting a pass to end an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

By

CINCINNATI, Ohio — The Bengals will host Miami on Thursday night in a prime-time game airing on Amazon Prime.

The Dolphins have all sorts of offensive weapons and are one of the NFL’s hottest teams going back to last season when they closed out the year winning eight of their last nine games.

Can Cincinnati derail their momentum? Here’s what our staff thinks:

Andrew Gillis: Dolphins 27, Bengals 20

The Bengals are in a unique spot this week.

On the one hand, they’re coming off their first win of the season, on the road, ahead of what’s sure to be a wild atmosphere for Thursday’s prime-time game at home against the Dolphins.

On the other hand, the Dolphins are coming off a win over perhaps the best team in the NFL (Bills) with an offense that has shown incredible explosiveness through three weeks. Much like the Bengals, they’re a team that can burn you if you’re not careful.

I think the Dolphins will make one too many plays for the Bengals to keep up in a game that goes down to the wire. Assuming Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is healthy and able to play, he’s going to create a handful of problems for the Bengals’ linebackers and secondary.

Mohammad Ahmad: Bengals 20, Dolphins 17

The cheetah will be silenced in the jungle.

Well, maybe not too quiet, but Dolphins’ receiver Tyreek Hill won’t live up to the aforementioned hype from his locker room comments earlier this week. Cincinnati’s secondary has been airtight as we saw against the Jets last Sunday. It has held seven straight quarterbacks to a QB rating of 100 or lower dating back to the wild card game against Las Vegas in January.

That’s not-so-good news for Tagovailoa. Granted, he’s coming off of a splashing start to the season, but I think that Eli Apple and company will win the battle against Hill, Jaylen Waddle and the ‘Fins receiving corps. Mix that in with the “big boy football” on offense that Ted Karras referenced after the win over the Jets, and the Bengals will get back on track and silence naysayers with a 2-2 start.

Michael Niziolek: Bengals 31, Dolphins 20

The Dolphins defense spent 40-plus minutes on the field against a Buffalo offense that ran 90 plays. It had to be feeling the effects of that on Monday morning and could be the unit most impacted by the short week.

Tagovailoa’s status is also a question mark. The coaching staff said all week they expect him to play, but if the Bengals defensive line is as effective as it was against the Jets, he might not last long.

This is a game Cincinnati should win.

Think you know football? Play the cleveland.com Pro Picks Challenge for a chance to win prizes! Click here: cleveland.com Pro Picks Challenge

Get the latest Bengals merchandise: Here’s where you can order Cincinnati Bengals gear online, including jerseys, hoodies, T-shirts, hats and much more

-

If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700.

More Bengals coverage

Bengals secondary welcomes Tyreek Hill bringing ‘spice’ to prime-time showdown

Joe Burrow looking forward to growing relationship with Cavs’ guard Donovan Mitchell

Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader out for an ‘extended period of time’ with knee injury, report says

How Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins and the rest of the Bengals offense graded vs. the Jets

How Cameron Sample, DJ Reader and the rest of the Bengals defense graded vs. the Jets

Zac Taylor gives injury updates, talks challenges of facing red-hot Miami team: Transcript

By the numbers: Bengals offense thriving in third-down situations

Eli Apple doesn’t take the bait from Tyreek Hill with rematch on deck

DJ Reader’s status remains uncertain for Bengals’ game Thursday vs Dolphins

Ja’Marr Chase vs. Sauce Gardner: Snow angels, jersey pulling and trash talk highlight first matchup

Bengals vs. Dolphins point spread odds: What’s the line on Sunday’s game?

Bengals’ offensive line shows signs of improvement in win over Jets

Bengals faced with grueling short week, but with momentum on their side after win over Jets

Bengals enjoyed playing ‘big boy football’ on last offensive series

Tails never fails? How Sunday’s coin toss set the Bengals up for success in win over Jets

Bengals finally got the fast start they wanted, leading to win over Jets

What they’re saying after the Bengals’ first win of the season against the Jets: Social media reaction

Trey Hendrickson’s three-sack performance helps sink Jets: ‘It was just a matter of time’

Tee Higgins shines in physical, thrilling performance against Jets

Why Joe Mixon didn’t touch the ball in the fourth quarter against the Jets

Grade Joe Burrow’s Week 3 performance in Sunday’s Bengals win over the Jets

Zac Taylor discusses Bengals’ 27-12 win over the Jets: Transcript

Bengals 27, Jets 12: The 6 moments that mattered

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

X

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

If you opt out, we won’t sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.