Joe Burrow Has a Chance to Exploit Dolphins’ Biggest Weakness

The Cincinnati Bengals have a good chance to bounce back this week as they face a 0-4 Miami Dolphins team at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. The Bengals fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars 22-17 in week four. 

Miami's first-year head coach is Jeff Hafley, who came to the Dolphins from the Green Bay Packers, where he was Matt LaFleur’s defensive coordinator. They signed Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract in the offseason after Willis had some success under Hafley in Green Bay. So far, the investment doesn’t seem to be paying off through the first four games. 

However, Miami’s opponents are 15-1, and the Raiders are the only team they have played so far on the schedule and lost to. It doesn’t get much harder for a first-year head coach and a quarterback trying to resurrect his career. They have also played the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Minnesota Vikings. 

Willis has a 56.3% completion percentage through those four games with just one touchdown and two interceptions. He is throwing to a depleted wide receiver corps after the Dolphins traded Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos in the offseason. Chris Bell, Malik Washington, and Caleb Douglas lead the way for Miami at pass catcher. 

They recently lost their best player on either side of the ball when De'Von Achane tore his ACL and missed the rest of the season. The explosive running back has struggled with injuries throughout his career, and now Ollie Gordon and Jaylen Wright are expected to step up in his place. 

Defensively, second-round pick Jacob Rodriguez leads the Dolphins with 46 tackles this season, just one behind Denver Broncos Alex Singleton. Defensive tackle Zach Sieler leads Miami with two sacks. 

While the Dolphins are below league average in many statistical categories, they rank #11 in yards per rush (4.3), and their rushing defense ranks #6 (3.6 yards per rush). 

Depending on the Bengals' availability, Cincinnati could keep attacking through the air. Miami ranks #32 in completion percentage at 77.88% and #29 in yards per pass at 8.3 yards. Their defensive line also struggles to get after the quarterback, with a 3.42% sack rate, #28 in the league. 

If Ja’Marr Chase can play, given that he was seen at practice Thursday afternoon, the Bengals offense could succeed. Either way, Joe Burrow is set up for a big day, whether Chase and Tee Higgins are available or not.