The Miami Dolphins spectacularly lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the first NFL career start for rookie Quinn Ewers.
The Miami Dolphins lost out on the playoffs against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16, and now their hopes of a winning record are lost, too. The Dolphins were routed by the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17 with a final score of 45-21.
Rookie Quinn Ewers took over as the starter for the Dolphins, as Mike McDaniel chose to bench Tua Tagovailoa following the loss to the Steelers. Despite a shaky start, Ewers looked to be in command of things through the first quarter.
After a pair of punts from both teams opened the first quarter, the Bengals struck first with big passes to both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. A 91-yard drive was capped off by a six-yard toe-touch touchdown to Higgins.
Following the 7-0 score, the Dolphins struck back. Ewers threw a solid 16-yard pass to Jaylen Waddle, which was coupled with a massive 48-yard touchdown run from De'Von Achane.
Following the first quarter, the second began nearly the same. A combination of punts from both teams led to a field goal for the Bengals well into the second quarter. The score was 10-7, until Miami came back.
Ewers began to settle in, and helped lead the offense to a 17-yard pass and fumble to Waddle, and another 21-yard pass to Waddle to help set up the nine-yard touchdown run from Malik Washington.
Despite the Dolphins leading 14-10 with less than two minutes left, the Bengals marched downfield and quickly got a touchdown with Samaje Perine punching it in after a 27-yard pass to Drew Sample helped put the team in good field position.
Heading into the second half, things began to unrival quickly.
A pass and fumble from Greg Dulcich led the Bengals to have good field position, and Chase Brown would land the nine-yard touchdown pass, pushing the score to 24-14.
Ewers would then throw an interception to Theo Wease Jr., leading to another quick Bengals touchdown. They would pad the score to 31-14, off two big plays from Brown.
Ewers would throw an 18-yard pass to Jaylen Wright, but a miscue on a fourth down attempt left the Dolphins with a turnover on downs, and another quick Bengals touchdown.
Burrow would throw a 36-yard bomb to Chase, leading to another touchdown run for Brown. The 38-14 score would not last long, as Ewers would throw another interception on a deep ball to Waddle.
Cincinnati struck back quickly again, as Brown would score his third touchdown of the day on a six-yard run. The Bengals would lead 45-14 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Burrow was benched as the Bengals sent out Joe Flacco. Ewers was able to get a touchdown in garbage time, marching the offense downfield on a 19-yard pass to Waddle and a 29-yard pass to Dulcich.
The Dolphins lose the game 45-21.
Ewers ends his first NFL start with 20-for-30 attempts, 260 yards, two interceptions, and no touchdowns. He also posted a 66.0 passer rating.