Game Recap
Dolphins Rally Falls Short as Bengals Win 31-24, Miami Drops to 0-5
The Dolphins made it close late but are still looking for their first win.
The Miami Dolphins ran the ball well, made it a one-score game in the final minute, and still came up short. Joe Burrow threw four touchdown passes as the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Dolphins 31-24 at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, dropping Miami to 0-5 under first-year coach Jeff Hafley.
Cincinnati 31, Miami 24. Sunday, October 11, Hard Rock Stadium. Dolphins: 0-5. Next: at New York Jets, Sunday, October 25. Next home game: New England, Sunday, November 1.
How it happened
Cincinnati scored on its opening drive, and the Dolphins answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by Ollie Gordon to tie it 7-7 in the first quarter. From there, the Bengals took control. Burrow threw short touchdown passes to Samaje Perine and Tanner Hudson in the second quarter for a 21-7 halftime lead, then found Ja'Marr Chase for a 45-yard score late in the third quarter to make it 28-10.
Miami didn't quit. Quarterback Malik Willis threw a 3-yard touchdown pass and added a two-point conversion pass to cut it to 28-18 midway through the fourth. After a Bengals field goal, Willis scored on a 1-yard run with 48 seconds left. A missed extra point kept it a seven-point game at 31-24, and the Bengals recovered the onside kick to close it out.
By the numbers
The running game was the bright spot. The Dolphins ran for 217 yards on 34 carries, an average of more than six yards a carry, with two rushing touchdowns. But the passing game managed just 137 yards, and three turnovers, two interceptions and a lost fumble, proved costly. Burrow, meanwhile, completed 23 of 32 passes with four touchdowns and no interceptions.
What's next
The Dolphins are off next weekend before visiting the New York Jets on October 25. They return to Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, November 1, against New England, followed by Detroit on November 8.
The spotlight shifts to the Canes this Saturday. The unbeaten, No. 3 Hurricanes host Florida State at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN. Read our FSU vs. Miami guide and our October events guide.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score of the Dolphins vs Bengals game on October 11, 2026?
The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Miami Dolphins 31-24 at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
What is the Dolphins record in 2026?
The Miami Dolphins are 0-5 after losing to the Cincinnati Bengals on October 11, 2026.
When is the next Dolphins home game?
The Dolphins’ next home game is against the New England Patriots on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium.
When do the Dolphins play next?
The Dolphins play at the New York Jets on Sunday, October 25, 2026, after their bye week.
Scores and statistics are from official game data. Published: October 12, 2026.
