Dolphins Slump to 0-5 After Narrow 31-24 Loss to Bengals

Winless in Miami: Bengals Hand Dolphins Fifth Straight Loss

The Miami Dolphins fell to 0-5 on the season following a hard-fought 31-24 defeat at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium. While the score suggests a close contest, the Dolphins struggled for much of the afternoon to keep pace with a potent Bengals attack led by Joe Burrow, who finished with 190 passing yards and four touchdowns. Miami's offense, spearheaded by quarterback Malik Willis, showed flashes of life in the second half but ultimately doomed itself with three critical turnovers, including two interceptions by Bengals safety Jordan Battle.

Willis Struggles as Kenneth Grant Returns

Starting quarterback Malik Willis completed 15-of-27 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown, but his ball security was a major factor in the loss. Willis surrendered a fumble and two interceptions, often opting for difficult throws over open check-downs. Following the game, a frustrated Willis emphasized the need for a total reset as the team heads into its bye week. "We've just got to go back to the drawing board, watch these last few games, and understand what we're good at and what we're not," said Malik Willis. "We have to understand what guys are comfortable with and just try to go and execute the next opportunity we get." On the defensive side, the Dolphins did see the return of 2025 first-round pick Kenneth Grant, who was activated from the injured reserve list on Saturday. Grant made his 2026 debut after missing the first four games with a toe injury, recording a tackle and helping a defensive front that surrendered over 200 rushing yards to a determined Cincinnati ground game. Head coach Jeff Hafley and the Dolphins now enter their *eek 6 bye looking for answers to salvage a season that has quickly spiraled out of control.