What to Watch For in Bengals vs. Dolphins

The Cincinnati Bengals are looking to get back on track when they travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins on Sunday. Cincinnati enters the matchup at 2-2 after dropping consecutive games to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars. 

With questions surrounding the offense and opportunities for the defense to make an impact, the Bengals have several storylines to monitor as they try to get back in the win column.

What Does the Wide Receiver Room Look Like?

The Bengals could be shorthanded at wide receiver against Miami, making the status of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins two of the biggest storylines heading into Sunday. Chase is working through concussion protocol, while Higgins' availability remains uncertain as he deals with an injury. If either player is unavailable, Cincinnati will need its supporting cast to step up. 

Dohnte Meyers showed he can contribute after a strong performance against Jacksonville, and the Bengals could need another productive outing from him.

Can the offense bounce back and find consistency?

Cincinnati's offense has struggled to find consistency over the past two weeks, and Sunday's matchup presents an opportunity to turn things around. Joe Burrow threw for 428 yards against Jacksonville, but two costly interceptions helped derail the Bengals' comeback attempt. 

The offense has shown it can move the ball through the air, but converting those opportunities into points remains crucial. Cincinnati also needs to establish a more effective running game and protect Burrow better if it hopes to avoid another frustrating afternoon.

Can the defense capitalize on Malik Willis' tell?

Jordan Battle created a talking point this week after revealing a potential tell in Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis' throwing motion. Battle's comments sparked debate among fans about whether he should have disclosed the information publicly. 

Now, Cincinnati's defense will have an opportunity to show whether the observation can translate into results. If the Bengals can recognize the tendency and anticipate Willis' decisions, they could create opportunities for turnovers. However, the defense will still need to execute and contain Willis when he uses his mobility to extend plays.

Can the Defense Eliminate Ollie Gordon II?

Containing Miami's running game will be another important challenge for Cincinnati's defense. Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II can provide another dimension to the offense, and allowing him to establish a rhythm could make life more difficult for the Bengals' pass rush. 

Cincinnati needs to win at the line of scrimmage, close running lanes and limit Gordon's opportunities to create explosive plays. If the defense can force Miami into predictable passing situations, it could put more pressure on Willis and give the Bengals a better chance to control the game.