The 2-2 Cincinnati Bengals are staring down a Week 5 matchup that absolutely should be an easy win against the 0-4 Miami Dolphins. But don’t let that 0-4 record fool you, because Cincinnati’s defense is heading into this game with a massive red flag waving right over its head: the Bengals lead the entire NFL with 24 missed tackles on called pass plays. That stat is a problem, plain and simple.
Tackling Woes Could Sink the Ship
ESPN’s Ben Baby pinpointed the exact issue, and it’s a glaring one. While the Dolphins’ offense as a whole isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire, their wide receivers have a knack for making defenders look silly. Miami ranks fourth in the league for missed tackles forced by wide receivers on called pass plays. Think about that for a second. The Bengals’ biggest defensive weakness is exactly where the Dolphins, despite their struggles, manage to create chaos. This isn’t just some small detail, this is a direct clash of strengths and weaknesses that could absolutely turn this “easy win” into a nightmare.
Even “Worst” Receivers Can Cause Headaches
Now, let’s be real, the Dolphins’ wide receiver room isn’t winning any awards. Chris Bell, Caleb Douglas, and Malik Washington, along with a few other guys, make up what’s widely considered one of the worst receiver groups in the league. You hear “worst WR room” and you think, “no problem for the Bengals.” But this isn’t about their ability to run routes or catch tough balls; it’s about what they do *after* the catch. Their talent for forcing missed tackles means that if Dolphins QB Malik Willis gets time to throw, these guys could turn short gains into significant yardage, or worse, chunk plays. Dexter Lawrence II needs to be an absolute game-wrecker this week, because if he isn’t getting pressure, and those receivers keep breaking free, Cincinnati is going to be in a tough spot.
This week, tackling has to be the top priority for the Bengals’ defense. They *should* win this game, they really should. It’s the 0-4 Dolphins, for crying out loud. But if those tackling woes continue, you’re looking at a game that could get ugly fast for Cincinnati. The warning signs are blaring, and the Bengals need to fix this fast if they want to get back above .500.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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