Miami Dolphins 7-22 Cincinnati Bengals

By Tom Julian

Highlights of the Miami Dolphins clash with the Cincinnati Bengals in week four of the NFL

An A.J Green touchdown and five Mike Nugent field goals handed the Bengals a 22-7 win over a poor Dolphins side.

The Dolphins started brightly with a 74-yard touchdown catch from Kenny Stills on Ryan Tannehill's second play of the night.

However, it all went downhill from there as the Bengals took charge, Green collecting 173 yards and a touchdown as Cincinnati ran out clear winners.

In 140 Characters 

A.J Green goes for 173 yards as Bengals ease past tame Dolphins. Tannehill sacked five times, no protection from invisible offensive line. 

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Image: Ryan Tannehill had little protection and was sacked five times

MVP

Green was unstoppable with 123 yards and a touchdown in the first half alone. He added 50 more in the second half and the only thing that was missing from his game was more end zone receptions. 

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Credit to Carlos Dunlap, who led the defence, with four tackles and two of Cincinnati's sacks. The Dolphins never got anything going on offence, and Dunlap was a big reason for that.

Image: Carlos Dunlap made tackles and two sacks in a dominant display

Game-changer

With the Bengals punting away, Dolphins defensive end Terrence Fede lost his composure and senselessly pushed punter Kevin Huber to the ground. The Bengals were given an automatic first down and 15 penalty yards, and from there they scored a 47-yard field goal to put themselves 15 points ahead and out of sight.

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Stat of the night

19 - Cincinnati had 19 first downs, over double the amount the Dolphins managed (eight). This led to them controlling the game clock, with the Bengals offence on the field for over 38 minutes.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
MIA 0-3 CIN FG - M Nugent 42 yd
MIA 7-3 CIN TD - K Stills 74 yd pass - R Tannehill Extra point - A Franks
MIA 7-10 CIN TD - A Green 7 yd pass - A Dalton Extra point - M Nugent
2nd Quarter
MIA 7-13 CIN FG - M Nugent 22 yd
MIA 7-16 CIN FG - M Nugent 43 yd
3rd Quarter
MIA 7-19 CIN FG - M Nugent 22 yd
4th Quarter
MIA 7-22 CIN FG - M Nugent 47 yd

The game

On the opening drive, Nugent scored a field goal to give Cincinnati an early lead, but the Dolphins hit straight back. On his second throw of the night, Tannehill found Stills in space, who ran in unchallenged to complete the 74-yard touchdown.

The Bengals retook the lead with three minutes left in the quarter, driving 90 yards in just seven plays. Dalton found Green for a 51-yard pass before Green caught a seven-yard pass to finish the drive himself and put Cincinnati up 10-7.

The home side scored two more field goals in the second quarter, and another in the third, pushing their lead to 19-7 as Miami struggled to move the chains.

Image: Mike Nugent scored all five field goals in the Bengals victory over the Dolphins

At the start of the fourth quarter, the Bengals were forced to punt away but the Miami special teams defensive end Terrence Fede needlessly pushed punter Huber, handing Cincinnati possession once more. The Bengals took advantage with another field goal, their fifth of the night, stretching their lead to 15 points and effectively ending the contest.

The Dolphins never threatened the Bengals after their first drive. Tannehill was sacked five times and Miami were held to 62 yards on the ground. It is a disappointing start to life as a head coach for Adam Gase, who slips to 1-3 and last place in the AFC East. 

As for Cincinnati, 2-2 doesn't look so bad considering they have already played the Broncos and the Steelers. It doesn't get any easier though, as they face two tough road trips to Dallas and then New England.

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