NFL Football
2025-12-21 - Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 16
Sunday 21st December 2025 - Scheduled 1pm
6pm (British Time)
Preview
The defeat on Monday Night Football might have spelled the end of the Tua Tagovailoa era as Quarter Back of the Miami Dolphins (6-8). The underwhelming 2025 season has officially ended with elimination with the defeat at the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Tagovailoa's performance was heavily criticised and he has been replaced at Quarter Back by rookie Quinn Ewers.
The Dolphins are hosting a Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) team who have had another really poor season where Quarter Back Joe Burrow has missed a number of games again.
Joe Burrow has even hinted at the potential of leaving the Bengals, although that looks unlikely in the very near future- the focus instead is to bounce back from a miserable day in the office for the Bengals when blown out by the Baltimore Ravens and failing to score a point.
There is expected to be a reaction to that, even if Joe Burrow's comments have raised plenty of eyebrows this past week.
He is fortunate to be going up against a Miami Defensive unit that may struggle to pick up the intensity after elimination was confirmed and with a rookie Quarter Back coming into the lineup on the other side of the ball. It may feel Miami are already thinking ahead to next season, which could cloud the thinking of those on the field, and this Dolphins Defensive unit have been inconsistent all season anyway.
To give them some credit, Miami have played pretty well on this side of the ball in recent games, but could not do much to slow the Pittsburgh Steelers and are now playing on a short week.
The Bengals may be without Tee Higgins, but Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Burrow can make connections to keep the ball moving and Chase Brown has been running the ball with real competitive spirit. He has also proven to be capable of catching the ball when leaking out of the backfield and Cincinnati have to feel they can move the chains.
It is easy to say the same for the Miami Dolphins as they look to lean on De'Von Achane, who had a tough night in Pittsburgh, but who has been a huge figure in the Offense with the way he has been running the ball behind this Miami Offensive Line.
Coming up against the struggling Bengals Defensive Line should be a huge advantage, but it may depend on how much respect there is for a rookie Quarter Back- there is every reason to believe the Bengals play closer to the Line of Scrimmage and dare Quinn Ewers to beat them with his arm, rather than allow Achane to run all over them.
Things will feel a lot different if Quinn Ewers is able to make some plays with his arm, although it should be noted that the Miami Offensive Line have been struggling with their pass protection. Instead the focus may be to get Ewers going with quick passes closer to the Line of Scrimmage, and that may just benefit Cincinnati to come up and make sure they are keeping the Miami Offensive unit in third and long spots where they can.
Being at home has to give Miami motivation, even on a short week, and Head Coach Mike McDaniel is convinced Quinn Ewers gives his team a shot in the arm from the Quarter Back position.
As long as he can make some throws to give the Bengals something to think about, it should keep things clear up front for De'Von Achane to have a bounce back game and having more than a Field Goal worth of points with the home team looks too good to pass up here.
Prediction
Take the points with the home underdog.
The Pick :
Miami Dolphins 20-23 Cincinnati Bengals
