Preview: Bengals at Dolphins MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (Interstat) — Two AFC teams playing out the string of disappointing seasons will meet Sunday when the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins (6-8) enter the contest with faint playoff hopes, while the Bengals (4-10) are looking to play spoiler and build momentum for 2026. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. EST on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. Cincinnati arrives reeling from a 24-0 shutout loss to Baltimore last Sunday, a game in which quarterback Joe Burrow was held without a touchdown pass. Burrow’s recent performances have been a microcosm of the Bengals’ erratic season, mixing a four-touchdown, 284-yard effort in a close loss to Buffalo with last week’s blanking. He will need to rebound against a Miami defense that allowed 28 points in a loss to Pittsburgh on Monday night. The Dolphins have alternated wins and losses over their last five games. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is coming off a game where he threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns in the losing effort. Miami’s offense has shown flashes, including a 34-10 rout of the New York Jets two weeks ago, but consistency has been an issue. Statistically, the Dolphins hold the edge. According to National Statistical’s game simulator, the projected final score is Miami 32, Cincinnati 21. Oddsmakers have installed Miami as a 4.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 47.5 points. For the Bengals, running back Chase Brown, who had 90 total yards in the loss to Baltimore, will be a key complement to Burrow. Miami will look to its backfield duo of De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright to balance the attack. This game represents one of the final home stands for the Dolphins, who host Tampa Bay next week before finishing the season at New England. The Bengals face a quick turnaround, hosting Arizona in a rare Friday game on Dec. 26. Despite the records, the matchup features two of the league’s prominent quarterbacks in Burrow and Tagovailoa, who will duel in a late-season game with pride and evaluation for the future on the line.