Joe Burrow throws 4 TDs as Cincinnati Bengals edge Miami Dolphins 31-28 in Week 5

Miami Gardens, FL - Joe Burrow threw four touchdown passes, including two to Ja’Marr Chase, as the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Miami Dolphins 31-28 in Week 5.

Cincinnati emerged from a high-scoring exchange with a narrow advantage, then watched Miami trim the margin after the Bengals had created some separation. The Dolphins finished with more first downs and offensive yards, but Burrow’s passing production remained the defining individual performance in the Bengals’ victory.

Burrow completed 27 of 40 passes for 250 yards and posted a 117.7 passer rating. His longest completion covered 34 yards, and Cincinnati scored touchdowns on each of its two red-zone trips.

Chase supplied the biggest gains in the receiving game, catching five passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Tee Higgins worked underneath and across the middle of the stat sheet with 11 receptions for 89 yards and a score, while Mike Gesicki added three catches for 25 yards and another touchdown.

"Ja’Marr gave us explosive production, Tee was available over and over, and Mike finished in the end zone," Burrow said. "When the ball is getting to different people and those guys are producing, it gives the whole offense a good rhythm."

The Bengals finished with 341 offensive yards, including 250 through the air and 91 on the ground. Chase Brown handled most of the rushing work, gaining 76 yards on 16 carries with a long run of 20 yards.

Miami produced the larger yardage total and spent much of the game answering Cincinnati’s scoring. The Dolphins accumulated 405 offensive yards and 19 first downs, compared with 341 yards and 16 first downs for the Bengals. They also converted six of 12 third downs, while Cincinnati went 4-for-11.

Malik Willis completed 22 of 36 passes for 270 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, finishing with a 100.4 passer rating. He also rushed six times for 20 yards and scored a touchdown on the ground.

Willis spread his three scoring passes among Marvin Mims Jr, Daniel Bellinger and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Mims led that group with 87 yards on five receptions, Bellinger caught eight passes for 75 yards, and Smith-Schuster recorded 54 yards on three catches. Each receiver scored once.

"There was a lot that worked, and we moved the football," Willis said. "But when you look up and you’re three points short, the yards don’t make that feel any better. We have to take the good parts and be sharper with the opportunities we get."

De’Von Achane gave Miami its first 100-yard rushing performance of the game, carrying 18 times for 101 yards. His longest run went for 27 yards as the Dolphins totaled 135 rushing yards, 44 more than Cincinnati.

"You want the rushing game to give the offense another dimension, and we had production there," Achane said. "The frustrating part is that we didn’t finish with the result we wanted."

Efficiency near the goal line provided another contrast. Cincinnati went 2-for-2 in the red zone, with both trips ending in touchdowns. Miami reached the red zone three times and scored two touchdowns without a field goal. The Dolphins also went 0-for-1 on fourth down.

Both defenses recorded two sacks. Cincinnati also registered the game’s only interception, with Kyle Dugger returning his pick 18 yards. Miami did not record an interception.

The final score reflected a game in which neither offense disappeared for long. Miami’s statistical advantages in offensive yards, rushing yards, first downs and third-down conversions were not accompanied by the lead at the finish. Cincinnati instead left Miami Gardens with a 31-28 victory and a four-touchdown outing from Burrow.

Up Next

The Cincinnati Bengals will travel to face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7 looking to build on the win, while the Miami Dolphins will visit the New York Jets in Week 7 as they try to rebound.