Some NFL games are close from the opening snap to the final whistle. This one wasn’t. The Cincinnati Bengals walked into Miami and turned a competitive first half into a runaway 45–21 victory on December 21, 2025. Joe Burrow was at the center of it, but the numbers tell a bigger story involving Chase Brown, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, De’Von Achane, and several defensive players.
For anyone checking bengals vs miami dolphins match player stats, this matchup has plenty worth digging into. Cincinnati scored 21 points in the third quarter alone, while Miami managed just 21 points across the entire game.
Bengals vs Dolphins Final Score
The Bengals won 45–21, with the teams tied 7–7 after the first quarter. Cincinnati moved ahead 17–14 by halftime, then completely took control after the break.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 7 | 10 | 21 | 7 | 45 |
| Miami Dolphins | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
The biggest difference wasn’t simply total yardage. Cincinnati converted 6 of 12 third downs, went 6-for-6 in the red zone, and committed no turnovers. Miami, meanwhile, turned the ball over three times.
Joe Burrow Put Together a Big Day
Joe Burrow looked comfortable throughout the afternoon. He completed 25 of 32 passes for 309 yards, averaging 9.7 yards per attempt, and threw four touchdowns without an interception. His passer rating was an impressive 146.5.
That efficiency mattered.
Burrow wasn’t just piling up short completions. Cincinnati repeatedly moved the ball downfield and finished drives. His four touchdown passes went to Tee Higgins, Chase Brown twice, and Mike Gesicki.
Burrow’s Passing Numbers
- Completions: 25
- Attempts: 32
- Passing yards: 309
- Touchdowns: 4
- Interceptions: 0
- Yards per attempt: 9.7
- Passer rating: 146.5
Joe Flacco also took one snap and completed it for four yards.
Chase Brown Was a Major Factor
Chase Brown had one of those games where the stat sheet doesn’t quite capture everything he contributed.
He carried the ball 12 times for 66 yards and a touchdown, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. He also caught four passes for 43 yards and two touchdowns. That gave him three total touchdowns in the game.
That receiving production was especially important. Cincinnati didn’t need to rely on one type of offensive play. Brown could hurt Miami on the ground, then slip into the passing game and create another problem.
It was a really productive afternoon for the Bengals running back.
Ja’Marr Chase Led Cincinnati in Receiving
Ja’Marr Chase remained a major part of the Bengals passing attack, finishing with 9 receptions for 109 yards on 11 targets. He didn’t score a touchdown, but his 36-yard reception helped give Cincinnati a steady source of big plays.
Tee Higgins had fewer catches but found the end zone. He finished with 3 receptions for 53 yards and one touchdown, including a 35-yard reception.
Mike Gesicki added three catches for 35 yards and a touchdown, while Drew Sample caught two passes for 31 yards.
Cincinnati Receiving Leaders
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TDs |
| Ja’Marr Chase | 9 | 109 | 0 |
| Tee Higgins | 3 | 53 | 1 |
| Chase Brown | 4 | 43 | 2 |
| Mike Gesicki | 3 | 35 | 1 |
| Drew Sample | 2 | 31 | 0 |
These numbers show how balanced the Bengals’ passing game was. Chase handled volume, while Brown and Higgins made their opportunities count.
How Miami’s Offense Performed
Miami moved the ball reasonably well at times, but the offense struggled to turn those possessions into points.
Quinn Ewers completed 20 of 30 passes for 260 yards, but he threw two interceptions and didn’t have a touchdown pass. His passer rating finished at 66.0.
The Dolphins actually ran for more yards than Cincinnati, gaining 129 rushing yards compared with the Bengals’ 105. But those numbers didn’t translate into enough scoring.
De’Von Achane Still Had His Moments
De’Von Achane was one of Miami’s brightest spots.
He rushed 15 times for 81 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, and scored on a spectacular 48-yard touchdown run. That was Miami’s first touchdown of the game and showed just how quickly Achane can change a drive.
Jaylen Wright also rushed for 35 yards and a touchdown, while Malik Washington added a nine-yard rushing score.
But Miami needed more consistency from its passing game to keep pace with Cincinnati.
Miami Receiving Leaders
Jaylen Waddle led the Dolphins in receiving with 5 catches for 72 yards. Greg Dulcich added 46 yards on three receptions, while Darren Waller had three catches for 40 yards.
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TDs |
| Jaylen Waddle | 5 | 72 | 0 |
| Greg Dulcich | 3 | 46 | 0 |
| Darren Waller | 3 | 40 | 0 |
| Theo Wease Jr. | 2 | 32 | 0 |
| Malik Washington | 1 | 23 | 0 |
Nobody caught a touchdown pass for Miami, which made it much harder to answer Cincinnati’s explosive passing performance.
Defensive Stats Tell Another Part of the Story
Cincinnati’s defense didn’t record a sack, but it still made important plays. Barrett Carter and Jalen Davis each intercepted Ewers once.
Jordan Battle led the Bengals with 10 total tackles, while DJ Ivey, Myles Murphy, Barrett Carter, and Shaka Heyward each finished with five.
Miami’s Jordyn Brooks led all players with 14 tackles, followed by Tyrel Dodson with eight.
The Dolphins did record two sacks, with Zach Sieler getting one and Kenneth Grant and Chop Robinson sharing another. Still, those plays weren’t enough to slow Burrow’s passing attack for long.
What the Team Stats Say
Looking beyond individual performances makes the result even more interesting.
Cincinnati finished with 407 total yards, while Miami had 389. The yardage gap wasn’t huge, yet the scoreboard certainly was.
The difference came down to execution.
Cincinnati:
- 302 passing yards
- 105 rushing yards
- 23 first downs
- 6-for-12 on third down
- 6-for-6 in the red zone
- 0 turnovers
Miami:
- 260 passing yards
- 129 rushing yards
- 19 first downs
- 2-for-10 on third down
- 2-for-2 in the red zone
- 3 turnovers
That turnover column jumps out immediately. Cincinnati protected the football, while Miami gave away three possessions.
The Third Quarter Changed Everything
The game felt competitive at halftime. Then Cincinnati scored three touchdowns in the third quarter while Miami was held scoreless.
Chase Brown scored on a 12-yard run, then caught touchdown passes of 9 and 5 yards from Burrow. That three-score burst turned a 17–14 game into a much more comfortable Cincinnati lead.
And honestly, that was the moment the game stopped feeling close.
Why These Player Stats Matter
Looking at bengals vs miami dolphins match player stats only through passing yards or rushing totals can be a little misleading.
Miami actually finished with more rushing yards. The Dolphins also stayed close in total offensive yards. Yet Cincinnati dominated the scoreboard because it was much cleaner with the football and much more efficient in key situations.
Burrow’s four touchdown passes, Brown’s three total touchdowns, and the Bengals’ two interceptions were probably the most important individual contributions.
For Miami, Achane’s 81 rushing yards and 48-yard touchdown run showed what the offense could do when it found space. But the Dolphins couldn’t maintain that level of production throughout the game.
Final Takeaway
The 45–21 score makes this look like a one-sided game from start to finish, but the early numbers were much closer. Cincinnati simply executed better when the important moments arrived.
Burrow finished with 309 passing yards and four touchdowns. Chase topped 100 receiving yards. Brown scored three touchdowns. Cincinnati’s defense came away with two interceptions, and the Bengals finished without a turnover.
For fans looking back at the bengals vs miami dolphins match player stats, the biggest lesson is pretty simple: raw yardage doesn’t always tell the story. Cincinnati’s efficiency, red-zone execution, and ball security turned a relatively even yardage battle into a 24-point victory.
FAQs
Who was the best player in the Bengals vs Dolphins game?
Joe Burrow had the standout performance, throwing for 309 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Chase Brown was also hugely influential with three total touchdowns.
How many yards did Joe Burrow throw for against Miami?
Burrow finished with 309 passing yards on 25 completions from 32 attempts.
How did Chase Brown perform against the Dolphins?
Brown rushed for 66 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries. He also caught four passes for 43 yards and two touchdowns.
How many rushing yards did De’Von Achane have?
Achane rushed 15 times for 81 yards and one touchdown, including a 48-yard scoring run.
What was the final Bengals vs Dolphins score?
The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Miami Dolphins 45–21 on December 21, 2025.
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