Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Bengals' 2025 opponents. Cincinnati heads to Miami to take on the Dolphins in prime time in Week 16.

2024

The Dolphins missed out on the playoffs in 2024, finishing 8-9 and second in the AFC East.

Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa started 11 games last season, leading the 22nd-ranked scoring offense (20.3 points per game). The Dolphins ranked 15th through the air with 219.8 passing yards per game. WR duo Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for just over 1,700 receiving yards, while TE Jonnu Smith led the team with 88 receptions. RB De'Von Achane had a breakout season, carrying the ball 203 times for 907 yards and catching 78 passes for 592 yards.

Defensively, Miami allowed the fourth-fewest yards per game (314.3) and the 10th-fewest points per game (21.4). LB Jordyn Brooks led the team and finished top 10 in the NFL with 143 total tackles. Rookie edge rusher Chop Robinson finished fifth in Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, tallying six sacks, while Zach Seiler led the team with 10.

Offseason Changes

Miami made a big trade late in the offseason, shipping Smith and three-time All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Pittsburgh Steelers for S Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick started his career with Miami before being traded to Pittsburgh during his second season and is a three-time All Pro. They also traded for TE Darren Waller from the New York Giants, who retired before the 2024 season and had a Pro Bowl year in 2020 for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Prior to those moves, Miami was active in free agency, signing G James Daniels to a three-year deal to help protect Tagovailoa. It also added DBs Ifeatu Melifonwu, Ashtyn Davis and Artie Burns to the secondary and signed LBs Willie Gay Jr. and K.J. Britt. The Dolphins added to their defensive front as well, signing DT Benito Jones and drafting DT Kenneth Grant in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Coaching Staff

Head coach Mike McDaniel enters his fourth season as head coach of the Dolphins and his 19th in the NFL. Miami made the playoffs in each of McDaniel's first two seasons, joining Don Shula and Dave Wannstedt as the only Dolphin coaches to go to the postseason in each of the first two years. He spent five seasons with the 49ers prior to his time in Miami, serving as the run game specialist, run game coordinator and offensive coordinator.

Frank Smith has served as McDaniel's offensive coordinator since the head coach was hired. Smith has coached in the NFL for 15 years, including stints with the Saints, Browns, Raiders and Chargers. He has served as both offensive line coach and tight ends coach at various stops, coaching Waller to his 2020 Pro Bowl season with Las Vegas.

Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver took over in 2024 after spending the prior 12 years with the Ravens, Texans, Browns and Jets. He served as the Texans' defensive coordinator in 2020 after four seasons as their defensive line coach. Weaver played seven seasons in the NFL for Baltimore and Houston after being drafted in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Ravens.

Series History

The Bengals have played the Dolphins 26 times, with Cincinnati winning the most recent matchup in 2022, 27-15.

What To Watch For

Bengals TE Mike Gesicki returns to Miami to play the team that drafted him in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Gesicki spent five years with the Dolphins, scoring 18 touchdowns.

The Sunday Night Football matchup will also be a battle of two of the top quarterbacks from the 2020 NFL Draft, as Cincinnati selected Joe Burrow first overall, and the Dolphins took Tagovailoa sixth.