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Miami Dolphins vs Cincinnati Bengals: predictions, preview, pick to win

Complete watch guide to the Miami Dolphins vs the Cincinnati Bengals, including when and where to watch, series history, matchups, prediction, and pick to win.

By The Sports Xchange
Cincinnati Bengals WR A.J. Green (L) is tackled by Miami Dolphins LB Philip Wheeler (52) in the first half at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida on October 31,2013. Miami defeated Cincinnati 22-20 in overtime on Halloween night the last time the two teams met. Photo by Susan Knowles/UPI
Cincinnati Bengals WR A.J. Green (L) is tackled by Miami Dolphins LB Philip Wheeler (52) in the first half at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida on October 31,2013. Miami defeated Cincinnati 22-20 in overtime on Halloween night the last time the two teams met. Photo by Susan Knowles/UPI | License Photo

Miami (1-2) at Cincinnati (1-2)

KICKOFF: Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, Paul Brown Stadium. TV: NFL Network, Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson

SERIES HISTORY: 21st regular-season meeting. Miami leads 15-5. Miami defeated Cincinnati 22-20 in overtime in 2013 on Halloween. That game was memorable because it was the same night the story broke that former offensive tackle Jonathan Martin alleged he was bullied by ex-guard Richie Incognito. The game ended on a safety when defensive end Cam Wake sacked quarterback Andy Dalton in the end zone with 6:38 left in OT.

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GAMEDATE: 9/29/16

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Cincinnati needs a win badly and so does Miami. But the Bengals are playing at home and coming off a disheartening loss to Denver in a game that they led in the second half. Cincinnati did a decent job of keeping pressure off Andy Dalton and keeping Broncos Super Bowl MVP Von Miller under wraps, but they face another challenge Thursday in Ndamukong Suh.

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Look for the Bengals to establish the running game early, which they managed for a while at Denver. Dalton will likely be without Pro Bowl tight end Tyler Eifert, who is listed as doubtful following offseason ankle surgery. He led all tight ends with 13 touchdowns last year and caught 52 passes for 615 yards in 13 games.

Bengals linebackers need to keep Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the pocket. He is Miami's leading rusher through three games, averaging 4.5 per carry, and is only 40 yards shy of a franchise record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

The Dolphins must find something that works offensively and defensively. Miami wants its offense to be led by the passing game and its defense to be led by the defensive line, but both have been spotty, at best.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Bengals WR A.J. Green vs. Dolphins CB Xavien Howard. This is interesting because it could have a ripple effect. Last week, Cleveland's Terrelle Pryor did so well against Howard, a rookie second-round pick, that Miami moved CB Byron Maxwell to cover Pryor. That could happen again this week. Pryor torched both of them (eight receptions, 144 yards).

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--Dolphins' run offense vs. Bengals' run defense. Miami must find a way to run the ball effectively so it has some sort of balance. Right now, the Dolphins have 113 passes to 62 runs, almost a 2-to-1 ratio. Some of that is because the Dolphins trailed and had to pass, but their rushing offense (83 yards per game) is 25th in the NFL. The combination of Bengals DT Geno Atkins and LBs Karlos Dansby, Vontaze Burfict and Rey Maualuga might be too much.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:

Dolphins RT Ja'Wuan James. The 2015 first-round pick was yanked last week for the overtime period against Cleveland because of poor performance. Coach Adam Gase hasn't yet indicated whether James will start. Gase has James, and perhaps a few other starters, on a short leash. James will likely spend most of his time against Bengals DE Carlos Dunlap.

Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict will make his season debut on Thursday night after the Cincinnati Bengals opened a roster spot by waiving fellow linebacker Trevor Roach.

Coach Marvin Lewis told Sirius XM NFL Radio on Thursday morning that he's not sure how many snaps will be received by the 26-year-old Burfict, who is "raring to go" after serving a three-game suspension for repeated violations of rules pertaining to player safety.

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"We'd have to lock him in a trunk if he didn't play, so yeah, Vontaze will play tonight," Lewis said.

The excitable Burfict last played in the AFC wild card game last season, delivering a blow to the head of Pittsburgh receiver Antonio Brown which helped set up the game-winning field goal in the Steelers' 18-16 victory.

INJURY REPORT:

Cincinnati Bengals TE Tyler Eifert and CB Dre Kirkpatrick are listed as doubtful.

Eifert has been recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the Pro Bowl. The Pro Bowl TE told reporters his status Thursday will be determined by the coaches.

Kirkpatrick has a hamstring injury and likely will be replaced in the starting lineup by Darqueze Dennard.

Bengals safety Derron Smith is listed as questionable with a chest injury.

FAST FACTS: Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill won both of his previous starts vs. the Bengals while posting a 92.4 passer rating. He passed for 319 yards and three touchdowns TDs last week, and he aims for third game with 300-plus yards. ... Bengals QB Andy Dalton leads AFC with 938 passing yards. In his past 10 home games, he has 16 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 103 passer rating.

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PREDICTION: The Bengals, and Dalton, face a Miami defense that allowed Cleveland 430 total yards, and the Dolphins escaped with a W only because the Browns missed makeable field goals.

OUR PICK: Bengals, 27-10.

--Frank Cooney

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