Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins 2026 Preview: Prediction, Betting Odds & 4 Prop Bets

The Cincinnati Bengals head to South Florida on Sunday afternoon looking to rebound when they face the winless Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.

Cincinnati enters 2-2 after falling 22-17 to Jacksonville despite Joe Burrow throwing for a season-high 428 yards. Miami dropped to 0-4 after a 15-10 loss to Minnesota and has scored only 46 points through its first four games.

The Bengals are 7.5-point road favorites in a matchup where Cincinnati’s explosive passing offense should have a significant advantage over a Miami attack still trying to find consistency.

Game Information

Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026 Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET TV: FOX Venue: Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, Florida Tickets: As low as $66 Point Spread: Cincinnati -7.5 Over/Under: 42.5

Cincinnati also visited Miami late last season and dominated the Dolphins 45-21, with Burrow throwing four touchdown passes.

Cincinnati: Burrow Coming Off Huge Passing Day

The Bengals didn’t get the result they wanted against Jacksonville, but Joe Burrow looked dangerous.

Burrow completed 39 of 54 passes for 428 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for a score. It was his 29th career 300-yard passing game, establishing a new Bengals franchise record.

Tee Higgins was outstanding, catching 11 passes for 157 yards before leaving late with an abductor injury. Ja’Marr Chase exited earlier with a concussion, making the health of Cincinnati’s star receiving duo one of the biggest issues to watch entering Miami week.

Even without both receivers late, Burrow nearly engineered a game-winning drive using Mike Gesicki, Mitch Tinsley and Dohnte Meyers.

That depth could become important again Sunday.

Miami’s defense has improved in recent weeks, but the Dolphins haven’t faced many quarterbacks capable of attacking every level of the field as consistently as Burrow.

The Bengals’ bigger concern is turning yards into touchdowns. Cincinnati generated 428 passing yards last week but managed only 17 points.

Miami: Offense Searching for Answers

Miami’s season has quickly become difficult.

The Dolphins have started 0-4, losing to Las Vegas, San Francisco, Kansas City and Minnesota. They have failed to score more than 13 points in any game.

Quarterback Malik Willis has struggled to generate consistent passing production. Against Minnesota, Willis completed 9 of 17 passes for only 85 yards while rushing for 11 yards. Through four games, he has thrown for 712 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Miami’s offensive problems became even more difficult when running back De’Von Achane suffered a season-ending injury against Kansas City.

Without Achane, Miami must rely more heavily on Willis, Ollie Gordon II and its young receiving corps.

The defense has kept the Dolphins competitive. Miami allowed only 15 points at Minnesota after holding Kansas City to 24 the previous week.

But asking that defense to repeatedly compensate for an offense averaging only 11.5 points per game is unsustainable.

Four Prop Bets to Consider

Player-prop availability varies by sportsbook, so these are target numbers to consider if offered near these ranges.

Prop Bet #1: Joe Burrow Over 274.5 Passing Yards

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Burrow Over 274.5 Passing Yards

• 428 Yards Last Week
• 29 Career 300-Yard Games
• Miami Secondary Faces Major Test

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Burrow enters Miami after producing his best statistical game of the season.

Even if Chase or Higgins is limited, Cincinnati has enough receiving depth to continue throwing aggressively.

Miami’s defense has competed hard, but Burrow’s volume alone makes this number attractive.

Prediction: Joe Burrow — 302 passing yards

Prop Bet #2: Mike Gesicki Over 39.5 Receiving Yards

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: Gesicki Over 39.5 Receiving Yards

• TD vs Jacksonville
• 3 TDs This Season
• Increased Role Possible

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Gesicki caught a 15-yard touchdown against Jacksonville and already has three receiving scores this season.

With Chase and Higgins dealing with injuries, Gesicki could see additional targets against his former team.

Prediction: Mike Gesicki — 52 receiving yards

Prop Bet #3: Malik Willis Under 199.5 Passing Yards

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Willis Under 199.5 Passing Yards

• 85 Yards vs Minnesota
• 1 Pass TD This Season
• Miami Passing Game Struggling

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Willis has surpassed 200 passing yards only twice in four games and produced just 85 last week.

Miami’s offensive line has also allowed pressure, while Willis often creates more damage with his legs than through high-volume passing.

Prediction: Malik Willis — 176 passing yards

Prop Bet #4: Cincinnati Over 24.5 Team Points

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Cincinnati Over 24.5 Team Points

• Burrow 428 Yards Last Week
• 45 Points in Miami Last Season
• Bengals Favored by 7.5

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The Bengals scored only 17 last week despite Burrow throwing for 428 yards.

Better red-zone execution should produce a much higher total against Miami, especially if Cincinnati’s defense creates short fields.

Prediction: Cincinnati — 27 points

Players to Watch

Joe Burrow — Cincinnati

Burrow looked sharp despite the loss to Jacksonville. If his receivers are available, Cincinnati has a major advantage through the air.

Mike Gesicki — Cincinnati

Gesicki could become particularly important if Chase or Higgins is limited, and he’ll also be facing his former team.

Malik Willis — Miami

Willis must protect the football and extend drives with his legs. Miami cannot afford repeated three-and-outs against Burrow.

Jacob Rodriguez — Miami

The rookie linebacker has quickly become one of Miami’s most active defenders and already produced an interception against Patrick Mahomes earlier this season.

Keys to the Game

Cincinnati must finish drives. Moving between the 20s wasn’t the problem against Jacksonville; converting those opportunities into touchdowns was.

The Bengals also need to contain Willis on scrambles and force Miami to beat them through the air.

Miami’s defense has to create turnovers and keep Cincinnati below 25 points. A straight offensive shootout strongly favors the Bengals.

For the Dolphins, finding some type of sustainable rushing attack without Achane is critical.

Betting Prediction

The 7.5-point spread is sizable for a road favorite, but Miami’s offensive struggles make Cincinnati the more attractive side.

The Dolphins have scored 13, 13, 10 and 10 points in four games.

Cincinnati may not need 30 points to cover if that trend continues.

The 42.5 total also points toward the under. Burrow should produce yards, but Miami’s defense has been respectable while its own offense has struggled badly.

The Verdict

Miami keeps the game relatively close early because of its defense, but Cincinnati’s offensive talent eventually becomes too much.

Burrow connects on several explosive throws, Gesicki plays a larger role and the Bengals defense forces Willis into difficult third-down situations.

Final Score Prediction

Cincinnati Bengals 27, Miami Dolphins 14

Betting Category Pick Best Bet Cincinnati -7.5 Against the Spread Cincinnati -7.5 Moneyline Cincinnati Over/Under Under 42.5 Top Prop Joe Burrow Over 274.5 Passing Yards

Final Prediction: Cincinnati 27, Miami 14

The Bengals improve to 3-2, cover the 7.5-point spread and enter their Week 6 bye with a much-needed road victory.