Game by game predictions: Week 5 @ Cincinnati Bengals

Overall record after week 4:  2-2

All-time record against: 14-5


Another tough road test here for the Dolphins as they travel to Paul Brown Stadium for an early Fall matchup with the Bengals.  The last time these two met was Halloween 2010, when the then Chad Henne/Tony Sparano led Fins left Cincinnati with a 22-14 victory.  These two teams have changed drastically since then, with Andy Dalton and A.J. Green taking Cincinnati by storm last season, and Ryan Tannehill at the helm for the Fins this season.

Offensively, Miami will be facing a defense that ranked 7th in the NFL last season, with a secondary led by Safety Reggie Nelson, who led the team with four interceptions last season.  Ryan Tannehill must learn to look off Nelson, and all other safeties for that matter, in order for the Fins to be successful in this ballgame.  If he struggles to do so, and many rookie QB's do, then Nelson and the rest of the Bengals secondary could pose serious problems for the Dolphins offense throughout the day.  Another issue for the Fins will be Bengals defensive line, which was a big part of their success a season ago.  Cincinnati recorded 45 sacks last year, with Geno Atkins leading the way with 7.5 in his breakout season. But only two other Bengals had at least six sacks—Jonathan Fanene with 6.5 and Michael Johnson with six.  The fins MUST contain Atkins if they want to give Tannehill a chance to be successful.

Defensively, I believe the Fins actually matchup well with the Bengals, with the exception of one position that they always, ALWAYS, seem to struggle with: Tight End.  Jermaine Gresham, when healthy, can pose problems for any defense, much less the Miami D.  The one thing the Fins have going for them is their defensive coordinator, Kevin Coyle, who coached the Bengals secondary for the past 11 seasons up to this year.  Coyle knows the Bengals better than anyone, and should have this unit ready for anything Dalton and company throw their way.  Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett will be the keys for Miami throughout the game, as they will be the ones tasked to cover Gresham, and if they can contain him for the majority of the game, along with Sean Smith on the outside covering A.J. Green, then the Fins will be O.K. defensively.

Overall, this is ultimately a tough road test for this young group.  The Bengals are coming off a playoff season in 2011, and have only gotten stronger.  The offense figures to be a problem for Miami if they can't cover Jermaine Gresham, and the defensive secondary for Cincinnati could give Ryan Tannehill fits if he doesn't learn to look of Reggie Nelson.  That, combined with a relentless pass rush and back to back road trips could lead to problems for the Miami Dolphins.

Final: Dolphins 16 Bengals 24