The Miami Dolphins lost to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, marking their fifth straight loss to start the 2026 NFL season and heading into bye week still searching for answers. A young team that had shown growth each week regressed against the Bengals and could not keep up for most of the game.
The Dolphins found a spark late in the game and tried to mount a comeback, but the game effectively ended when an onside kick rolled out of bounds. It was not the cleanest, most confidence-producing game Miami has played this season, and they will need to use the bye week to re-focus their efforts for the remaining 10 games on the schedule.
The Palm Beach Post’s Joe Schad broke down the Dolphins’ passing attack during the game, with quarterback Malik Willis finishing 15-of-27 for 137 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions, for a 51.0 passer rating. Schad broke his analysis into an overall grade, along with specific looks at Willis’s arm strength, accuracy, poise/leadership, decision-making, and mobility.
For Willis’s decision making, Schad wrote:
Decision-making: C-
Malik Willis could have thrown underneath for TE Will Kacmarek but tried to force it down the field and was intercepted when the ball was tipped as he was under pressure in the second quarter.
Willis threw late and across his body on a second interception, intended for Kevin Coleman in the second quarter.
Willis was nearly intercepted a third time in the end zone, trailing 21-7 in the third quarter.
Willis wants to drive the ball down the field but he needs to take easier completions underneath. He needs to lean on his checkdowns.
There are also times where it seems Willis could step up into the pocket to deliver a throw when under edge pressure.
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Miami Dolphins QB Malik Willis grades: Not enough passing success - Joe Schad, The Palm Beach Post
Miami Dolphins’ Malik Willis was seeking his first win of the season Sunday as starting quarterback in a home game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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Dolphins vs. Bengals review and reactions
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Dolphins rookie Jacob Rodriguez gives up some plays in Bengals loss - Joe Schad, The Palm Beach Post
The Miami Dolphins played the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 11, with 10 rookies dressed to play.
Dolphins lose fifth straight to start season, as Bengals’ Burrow throws 4 TDs - David Furones, South Florida Sun Sentinel
Quarterback is the most important position in football — maybe in all of sports.
From QB to Hafley’s staff to trades, Dolphins have decisions to make. Our advice - Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
As the 0-5 Dolphins enter their bye week, the people who run this team deserve a mental health break. But they also have decisions to make.
Things we learned in Miami Dolphins’ 31-24 loss to Cincinnati Bengals - Chris Perkins, South Florida Sun Sentinel
The winless Miami Dolphins hosted the Cincinnati Bengals in their second home game Sunday, and their last game before their bye week. It didn’t go well as the Dolphins lost, 31-24, in a game that was an uglier loss than the score indicates.
Instant Analysis: Cincinnati Bengals 31, Miami Dolphins 24 - Kenny Rosarion, South Florida Sun Sentinel
Quick thoughts from South Florida Sun Sentinel staffers on the Dolphins’ loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium as Miami falls to 0-5 and heads into their bye week.
Willis struggles, Burrow’s 4 TDs, Titans also 0-5 - Ten Thoughts on Dolphins loss to Bengals - David Hyde, The Hyde Side
Well, this one had everything you’ve come to expect on a Dolphins Sunday this year: An early special-team gaffe, an early deficit, three turnovers, a bit of rising hope in the third quarter and then, well, curtains.
Five Instant Overreactions to Dolphins-Bengals Matchup - Tyler DeSena, Miami Dolphins on SI
Miami fell to 31-24 to Cincinnati in Week 5
Dolphins Week 5 Instant Takeaways: Miserable Day for Malik, Pass Defense - Alain Poupart, Miami Dolphins on SI
What stood out in the Miami Dolphins’ loss against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5
Dolphins know their identity, now they must turn it into wins - Chris Perkins, South Florida Sun Sentinel
iami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley knows who and what he has in his locker room. The same goes for his players. This isn’t a team with an identity crisis.
Let’s hope these early Dolphins losses don’t leave a scar - Omar Kelly, Miami Herald
Everyone has guilty pleasures.
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Malik Willis frustrated with Miami Dolphins’ offensive struggles - Marek Brave, The Phinsider
Willis laments bad plays and missed opportunities after loss to Cincinnati Bengals.
Bengals vs. Dolphins final score, immediate reactions: Offense cannot get it done - Kevin Nogle, The Phinsider
The Miami Dolphins fell to 0-5 on Sunday in a game in which they never seemed up to the level of the Bengals.
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Finding Bottom: The Growing Pains of the 2026 Miami Dolphins Rebuild
For football fans who understand that rebuilding a franchise takes time, the Miami Dolphins’ 0-5 start to the 2026 season isn't entirely a shock. A gutted roster, historic dead-cap figures ($180M+), and the youngest roster in the NFL practically guaranteed a rough ride under first-year head coach Jeff Hafley.
Yet, knowing a team will struggle doesn't mitigate the sheer frustration of how they are losing. If you look past the ugly win-loss column, the most aggravating part of this early Dolphins season is the complete inability to sustain an offense.
A Historical Scoring Drought
Any seasoned fan can tolerate a defense being outmatched due to a lack of elite depth. What’s harder to swallow is a modern offense that fundamentally cannot generate drives. Through the first four weeks, Miami became only the third team since 2002 to fail to score more than 13 points in each of its opening four contests.
Schema Breakdown and Cap Disruption
From a schematic standpoint, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik's West Coast system is hitting a wall. The Dolphins are plagued by a lethal combination of missing explosive personnel and poor execution:
• Sustaining Drives: In early-season matchups like the 15-10 loss to the Vikings, Miami's offense could only muster 37 total plays while going a dismal 2-for-9 on third downs.
• Quarterback Progression: Malik Willis has looked thoroughly uncomfortable going through his progressions. The frustration peaked during the 31-24 Week 5 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, where Willis threw late over the middle into tight windows, resulting in two costly interceptions and an unforced fumble.
• The Missing Spark: The offense lost its vertical identity when Achane was sidelined for the season with a torn ACL. While Ollie Gordon II has flashed promise out of the backfield, opposing defenses are consistently stacking the box because they do not fear Miami's passing attack.
The Silver Lining
If there is one solace for the analytical fan, it’s that the defense under Sean Duggan is playing with tremendous heart. Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez has been a revelation, racking up 18 tackles in a single game—the highest rookie mark for the franchise since Zach Thomas in 1996.
However, until the offense can string together long scoring drives and give its young defense some rest on the sidelines, the "process" of this Dolphins season will remain incredibly grueling to watch.