The Miami Dolphins dropped another heartbreaker on Sunday — losing to the visiting Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 31-24. The team kept it close for most of the afternoon, but ultimately fell because of the firepower possessed by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and company, in addition to their own inability to play a consistent football game from start to finish.
It’s a tough season right now, but if you don’t expect this year to be full of mistakes and growing pains, that’s probably more on you than the team. 2026 has always been about stripping the squad down to the screws and rebuilding it while examining who can be a building block for a better future.
As we do after every game, let’s take a look at whose stock is rising — allowing them to be a part of Miami’s plans moving forward — and whose stock is falling.
Our Fins Up player of the week is second-year running back Ollie Gordon II. Gordon was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but failed to make much of an impact during his rookie season — totaling 199 yards rushing on 70 attempts (2.8 yards per carry) and three rushing scores.
Fast forward to 2026 where Gordon has taken over the starting running back role after an ACL tear to the team’s original starter, De’Von Achane. This season, Gordon has played in just four of the Dolphins’ five games, but he has already surpassed last year’s rushing yardage total, while also matching his touchdown catch from last season.
On Sunday, he had 88 yards rushing on 18 attempts, including a rushing score. His power-running style punished the Bengals throughout the game, allowing Miami to keep the score close. Fortunately, Jon-Eric Sullivan didn’t give up on Gordon after his subpar first year in the league…
Speaking of someone fans are ready to turn their back on, quarterback Malik Willis is our Fins Down player of the week for his three-turnover performance against the Bengals on Sunday. Willis threw two interceptions and lost a fumble against Cincinnati, effectively snuffing out any chance Miami had to steal a victory.
Willis had a rough start to his tenure with the Dolphins. Through five games, Miami’s first-year starter has just 849 yards passing (169.8 yards per game), two passing scores, and four interceptions. He added 186 yards rushing and two touchdowns on his legs. His poor play is a big reason why the Dolphins are winless on the young season.
However, despite the desperate cries from frustrated Fins fans, Willis should not be benched in favor of backup Kyle McCord. In a year where the Dolphins aren’t expected to compete for a championship or even a division crown, they need to get a full evaluation of as many players as possible, including Willis, to determine how they will spend their cap space next offseason, as well as their draft picks. Five games isn’t enough of a sample size to say Willis can’t be the guy moving forward, even though his play to start the season has been sorely lacking.
Jon-Eric Sullivan is too smart to give up on a player with Willis’ potential early.