The Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) close out their road slate Sunday in Miami against the Dolphins (6-8) in a game devoid of playoff implications for Cincy but rich with opportunity. After being officially eliminated from postseason contention, Zac Taylor’s club has a chance to build momentum into 2026 and reestablish competitive identity over the final three weeks.

Offensively, Joe Burrow and his talented receiving corps will look to bounce back from a tough shutout loss to Baltimore, where Burrow was held to 225 yards with two interceptions and Ja’Marr Chase still showed elite playmaking ability. Getting the offense untracked is priority one, and fresh legs in the passing game — particularly from Chase and whoever emerges as a No. 2 option — could exploit a Dolphins secondary missing playmakers at times.

Cincinnati’s defense, however, enters with concerns. The interior defensive line has taken hits with B.J. Hill and Kris Jenkins Jr. trending toward inactivity, and Joseph Ossai’s ankle issues further weaken pass-rush depth. That could challenge a Miami attack transitioning to rookie Quinn Ewers under center after benching Tua Tagovailoa amid a season leading the league in interceptions.

From a scheme standpoint, the Bengals can attack a Dolphins defense that has been inconsistent against the run and susceptible in the secondary — offering a blueprint for Cincinnati to sustain drives and flip field position. Turnovers and discipline will be key; forcing mistakes from an inexperienced Miami QB could tilt the game.

Ultimately, while the Bengals aren’t fighting for a playoff spot, Sunday serves as a referendum on effort, growth, and offseason trajectory. A strong road performance — especially in a physical division battle — can boost confidence and spotlight emerging core pieces heading into 2026.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Holy (Trap).

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Exercise (Rock).

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Ahead of Week 16 vs. the Miami Dolphins, Bengals QB Joe Burrow addressed the media with candid, reflective, and at times cryptic comments about his mindset, the season, and his future in the NFL.

In his opening remarks, Burrow made one thing clear: he still loves playing football. “I just want to play ball” was the overarching theme of his message — emphasizing that his passion for the game is what keeps him going, even through adversity. Burrow said it often feels like “everybody’s trying to do everything in their power to make me not play football,” but he’s fighting through it because he likes playing the game.

When asked about the possibility of playing elsewhere, Burrow gave an intriguing answer: “You think about a lot of things.” While he didn’t close the door on future possibilities, he also said he “can’t see a world in which he’s not with the Bengals in 2026.”

He reiterated that he expects to play for a long time, projecting confidence in his longevity and performance at a high level, even as this season has been one of setbacks and frustration.

Burrow also supported his coaches and teammates, suggesting that while changes might be needed, the organization has the right people in place — and that everyone wants the same thing: to win.

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Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Holy (Trap).

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Exercise (Rock).

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Bengals news: Paul Dehner Jr.’s recent reporting suggests that, even after missing the playoffs for a third straight season and finishing with a 4-10 record, the Bengals are unlikely to make sweeping changes at the top of the football operations or coaching hierarchy. Internally, both Duke Tobin and Zac Taylor are expected to remain with the team heading into the 2026 season rather than being dismissed.

A key reason for this continuity is Tobin’s deeply rooted relationship with Bengals ownership. Dehner notes that Tobin—officially titled Director of Player Personnel but functioning as the de facto general manager—is regarded almost as part of the family by owner Mike Brown and the broader leadership structure. Because of this, ownership reportedly has no internal inclination to fire Tobin, even amid external pressure and fan frustration.

Taylor’s situation is similar in that his contractual status strongly favors retention. Dehner explains that Taylor is under contract through the 2027 season due to an additional extension that was not widely publicized at the time. Because the Bengals rarely fire head coaches with multiple years left on their deals, and given Taylor’s history leading the team to a Super Bowl and consecutive AFC Championship Games earlier in his tenure, his job is viewed as relatively secure.

In short, Dehner’s reporting paints a picture of ownership favoring stability and loyalty over dramatic change, even in the face of poor on-field results and vocal calls from the fan base for a reset. Both Tobin and Taylor are therefore expected to stay put for the foreseeable future.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Holy (Trap).

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Exercise (Rock).

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