Cincinnati Bengals vs. Miami Dolphins Live Score and Stats - December 21, 2025 Gametracker
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) Joe Burrow is clearly enjoying himself on the football field.
The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback showed just how much fun he was having this past Sunday, throwing for an impressive 309 yards and four touchdowns in a decisive 45-21 victory against the Miami Dolphins.
"Not playing football isn’t fun at all," Burrow stated, reflecting on his previous struggles during an injury-ridden season. He had recently admitted to feeling frustrated and uninspired after a disappointing performance against Baltimore. "Sitting in the locker room all day doing rehab isn’t why I play the game. This right here is exactly why I do it."
Burrow made a comeback after his first experience of being shut out, leading the Bengals to one of their most dominant performances of the year, even though there was little on the line for either team. Both Miami (6-9) and Cincinnati (5-10) had already been eliminated from playoff contention the previous week, but players on both sides maintained that they were still driven to finish the season strong.
"This is the situation we find ourselves in," said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. "It’s what we can control. Once the season ends, we’ll have the opportunity to look back and consider what we need to do differently moving forward."
At halftime, the Bengals held a narrow lead of 17-14 before they exploded offensively, scoring 28 points off four consecutive turnovers made by the Dolphins.
Burrow effectively dissected Miami's defense, completing 25 out of 32 passes and achieving a staggering passer rating of 146.5 before being replaced by veteran Joe Flacco early in the fourth quarter. One highlight play that encapsulated Burrow’s performance was when he skillfully evaded pressure and delivered a precise, off-balance throw across his body to a wide-open Drew Sample, setting up Samaje Perine for a 4-yard touchdown run shortly before halftime.
"That’s how the game is meant to be played," Burrow remarked. "That’s the feeling we aim for. We need to maintain that momentum over the next few weeks."
Two of Burrow’s touchdown passes connected with running back Chase Brown, who caught them for 9 and 5 yards, respectively. Brown also contributed significantly on the ground, finishing with 66 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards, including a 12-yard touchdown run. Impressively, all of Brown's touchdowns occurred during the third quarter, making him the first player this season to score three times in a single quarter.
Ja’Marr Chase was another standout, catching nine passes for a total of 109 yards. Tee Higgins showcased his athleticism with a spectacular 9-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter, while former Dolphin Mike Gesicki added a 17-yard touchdown before celebrating with the Griddy dance in front of his former teammates.
"Everyone needs to take responsibility for their actions," emphasized Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb. "We’ve faced similar challenges all season long. It’s essential that we step up and hold ourselves to a higher standard. We have two games left to figure this out."
Making his debut as a starting quarterback, Dolphins rookie Quinn Ewers orchestrated two scoring drives but unfortunately threw two interceptions as Miami struggled in the second half for the second consecutive week.
"I felt calm and prepared for the opportunity," Ewers shared. "I had a solid understanding of the game plan and felt the support of my teammates. I was really excited to get back out on the field."
Ewers, who completed 20 of 30 passes for 260 yards, was named Miami's starting quarterback earlier this week after Tua Tagovailoa was benched due to a poor outing against Pittsburgh, where he threw his league-leading 15th interception.
A seventh-round draft pick from Texas, Ewers had spent most of the season playing with the scout team and hadn’t had many first-team practice reps. However, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel felt that Ewers could ignite some positive change, given that the quarterback position had not met expectations this season.
Ewers started strong, going 10 of 12 in the first half while demonstrating decisiveness and efficiency on play-action plays.
Meanwhile, Tagovailoa, who led the league in passing in 2023, has struggled to meet the high expectations of his four-year, $212.4 million contract extension signed in 2024, and remained as Miami’s emergency third-string quarterback behind Ewers and veteran Zach Wilson.
In terms of injuries, Bengals cornerback DJ Turner II (illness) and tight end Cam Grandy (left clavicle) exited the game in the second half. For the Dolphins, wide receiver Dee Eskridge (toe) left the game during the third quarter.
Looking ahead, the Bengals are set to host Arizona next Sunday, while the Dolphins will face off against Tampa Bay at home on the same day.
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