The Cincinnati Bengals travel to Florida to play the Miami Dolphins. Even if Cincinnati falls to 2-2 after starting 2-0 — and could be without Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins — they’re heavily favored against the Dolphins, who haven’t won a game or looked impressive this season.
The Bengals open as 6.5-point road favorites against the Dolphins, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. It’s pretty rare for a team to lose two straight as nearly a touchdown favorite on the road, but it shows how close those two games were — especially against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who look like a quality team in their own right — and how bad the Dolphins are.
The over/under is set at 43.5 points. Miami has yet to score more than 13 points in a game so far this season. That means there will be some real pressure on the Cincinnati offense, which may be without Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. It’s certainly not impossible depending on which Bengals defense shows up, but it’s pretty clear why it’s one of the lower totals this week.
I’d be surprised, but I’ll go with the Bengals in this one over the Dolphins. Miami being without De’Von Achane makes a pretty significant difference, as he can easily give up linebackers and safeties. Without him, there would be absolutely nothing to write about this sin.
Meanwhile, Burrow has been playing well of late. Even without Chase and Higgins, this defense isn’t set up to slow his roll like the Jaguars did. It has all the makings of a game already must be an easygoing win, but we’ll see how this team comes out and plays in their bye week.
Final score prediction: Bengals 31, Dolphins 17