MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., Dec. 21 (UPI) — Chase Brown scored three times in one quarter, while the Cincinnati Bengals forced three turnovers Sunday in a 45-21 thrashing of the Miami Dolphins.
The game was tight throughout the first half until the Bengals’ offense struck for 28 consecutive points in the lopsided victory in Miami Gardens, Fla. Jalen Davis and Barrett Carter logged interceptions for the Bengals. Myles Murphy recorded a forced fumble.
Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers, who made his first NFL start in place of former starter Tua Tagovailoa, completed 20 of 30 passes for 260 yards. He was sharp early on, but an avalanche of mistakes triggered a major momentum shift. The Bengals, who were shutout by the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15, strung together four-consecutive touchdown drives to start the second half of Sunday’s triumph.
“I’m proud, but not surprised by the response our guys had,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “We expected to come down here. There were a lot of questions about how these guys would respond.”
Brown, the first player this season to score three times in one quarter, logged 109 yards from scrimmage on 16 touches. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 309 yards and four scores.
Teeeeee Deeeeeeee
: #CINvsMIA on CBS/Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/ygAmwHrIcS— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 21, 2025
Burrow and the Bengals aired it out early on, with the star quarterback threading passes to star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to keep the Dolphins off balance. Burrow hit Higgins with a 9-yard strike to help the Bengals take a 7-0 lead with 3:57 remaining in the first quarter.
Dolphins running back De’Von Achane ripped off a 48-yard touchdown trot less than two minutes later to tie the score.
Bengals kicker Evan McPherson made a 45-yard field goal midway through the second quarter for a 10-7 edge. The Dolphins responded with a sevem-play, 68-yard touchdown drive. Malik Washington ran for a 9-yard score to end that possession en route to a 14-10 lead, but the Dolphins didn’t score again until the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Running back Samaje Perine ran for a 4-yard score on the next possession, helping the Bengals take a 17-14 advantage into halftime.
BARRETT CARTER INT
: #CINvsMIA on CBS/Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/2wvDEAEiPh— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 21, 2025
Murphy forced a fumble on the first drive of the second half. The Bengals turned that turnover into points when Brown caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Burrow.
Carter intercepted Ewers when he pulled in a tipped pass on the next drive. Brown ran for a 12-yard score about a minute later for a 31-14 Dolphins lead.
The Bengals running back caught a 5-yard pass from Burrow with 2:25 remaining in the third quarter for his third touchdown of the quarter.
ANOTHER ONE
: #CINvsMIA on CBS/Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/prJZc9GXIS— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 21, 2025
Burrow connected with tight end Mike Gesicki for a 17-yard score 1:28 into the fourth for his fourth touchdown toss. Running back Jaylen Wright ran for a 3-yard score for the final score of the night with less than four minutes remaining.
Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase caught nine passes for 109 yards. Achane totaled 90 yards from scrimmage and a score on 18 touches.
The Dolphins (6-9) will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) at 1 p.m. EST Dec. 28 in Miami Gardens. The Bengals (5-10) will host the Arizona Cardinals (3-11) at the same time in Cincinnati.
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