Miami Dolphins VS Cincinnati Bengals Preview
The Miami Dolphins VS Cincinnati Bengals clash on December 21, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens at 1:00 PM ET carries plenty of intrigue. Both teams arrive in contrasting form, one surging at home in December, the other reeling through a brutal stretch that’s exposed serious defensive flaws and inconsistency on offense.
This matchup hinges on situational football more than raw talent. Miami hands the keys to rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers while Cincinnati tries to steady a ship that’s taken on water for weeks. The Bengals have lost six of their last seven, and their defensive numbers tell a grim story of vulnerability that Miami can exploit.
Expect a competitive opening quarter as both teams feel each other out. The Miami Dolphins VS Cincinnati Bengals game preview suggests a tight contest, and the Miami Dolphins VS Cincinnati Bengals betting odds reflect that, with Cincinnati favored by fewer than a field goal on the road despite Miami starting a rookie under center.
Key Factors for Miami Dolphins VS Cincinnati Bengals
The quarterback situation for Miami shapes everything. Quinn Ewers steps in for Tua Tagovailoa, and while that might seem like a downgrade on paper, it injects uncertainty that Cincinnati must prepare for. Meanwhile, the Bengals defense has bled over 31 points per game this season, a staggering mark that speaks to systemic breakdowns.
Weather won’t be a factor. Forecasts call for 80 degrees, zero rain, and light wind, the kind of conditions that let offenses operate freely. That should favor both passing attacks, but it also means Cincinnati’s porous defense gets no help from the elements while Miami’s home environment becomes even more potent in December.
The Miami Dolphins VS Cincinnati Bengals betting forecast leans toward a close finish, with implied totals around 26 for Cincinnati and 21.5 for Miami. But the Miami Dolphins VS Cincinnati Bengals prediction narrative tilts toward the home side covering based on how well they’ve played as December underdogs and how poorly Cincinnati has traveled lately.
Recent Trends for Miami Dolphins VS Cincinnati Bengals
Miami has been remarkably sharp as a home underdog in December, winning five of their last six in that exact spot and covering the spread in every single one. That’s not luck; it’s pattern and preparation, the kind of situational edge that veteran bettors recognize instantly and that signals coaching staff understanding how to peak late.
Cincinnati’s form tells the opposite story. Six losses in seven games reveal a team struggling with identity and execution. They’ve failed to cover in each of their last three games without Chase Brown, suggesting the offense loses its rhythm when forced to adjust. That fragility becomes magnified on the road against a motivated opponent.
The market projects a close game, but multiple projections lean Miami to cover at home. The Miami Dolphins VS Cincinnati Bengals matchup trends and Miami Dolphins VS Cincinnati Bengals betting insights both point toward a Dolphins team that knows how to capitalize when given points in their building, especially when facing a defensively compromised visitor.
Our Prediction is Miami Dolphins +4.5 Spread
This line offers excellent value on the home side. Miami’s December home underdog record is no accident, and Cincinnati’s defensive struggles create the exact kind of matchup where a rookie quarterback can find rhythm. The Bengals allowing over 31 points per game means Ewers doesn’t need to be perfect, just competent enough to keep the offense moving.
The situational edge is undeniable. Miami thrives in this role, covering and winning outright when getting points at home late in the season. Cincinnati’s road woes compound when they can’t rely on defense to keep games tight, and their recent inability to cover without key personnel suggests a team playing on fumes rather than conviction.
We believe the outcome of the match will be Miami Dolphins +4.5 Spread. The combination of Miami’s home December dominance, Cincinnati’s defensive collapse, and the Bengals’ six losses in seven games creates a clear picture of a team that’s overvalued as a road favorite against a situationally motivated opponent.
The form disparity is stark, and match tendencies favor the home side absorbing Cincinnati’s best punch and staying within striking distance throughout. Perfect weather eliminates excuses, and Miami’s ability to execute in this exact scenario makes this Miami Dolphins VS Cincinnati Bengals matchup one where the Miami Dolphins VS Cincinnati Bengals betting picks clearly point toward taking the points at home.
