MIAMI — Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis called the Week 4 loss a backward step.

Unfortunately, Sunday’s outing was an even further step in the wrong direction.

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Dolphins 31-24 in large part due to the offense’s inability to get the passing attack going.

After failing to reach 100 yards through the air against the Minnesota Vikings, Willis offered more of the same vs. the Bengals. He completed a measly 56% of his passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns while also tossing a pair of interceptions and losing a fumble. Willis also added 74 yards rushing and touchdown on eight carries.

The worst part: both picks were to safety Jordan Battle, the very same defensive back who called out Willis for allegedly having a tell before he throws.

With the Dolphins now headed into the bye, Willis has to get a lot better if Miami doesn’t want to go winless in 2026.

Gordon growing before our eyes

It looks like Gordon’s 100-yard coming out party wasn’t a fluke.

The second-year tailback followed that up with an 18-carry, 88-yard performance. He also scored his third touchdown in as many games. Gordon, however, has shown that he could potentially become the driving force of the offense.

The rushing attack, as a whole, also performed well, thanks to some big runs from Malik Washington, Chris Bell and Willis, all of whom had rushes of 18, 26 and 39 yards, respectively. Miami finished with 217 yards on 34 carries.

Burrow picking on LBs in coverage

Everyone knew it wasn’t going to be easy with Joe Burrow at the helm.

The task got even greater when Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, both of whom came into Sunday’s game as questionable, was given the go-ahead.

And while the Chase-Higgins duo usually spells problems for the secondary, it was the linebacker corps that Burrow, who completed 72% of his passes for 190 yards and four touchdowns, seemingly picked apart in the red zone.

His first two touchdown passes? To tight end Mike Gesicki and running back Samaje Perine, both of which occurred with Jacob Rodriguez in coverage.

Burrow’s third touchdown pass found tight end Tanner Hudson who Willie Gay Jr. shadowed.

His fourth and final touchdown — a 45-yard one-handed grab by Chase, who led all receivers with five catches for 77 yards, with cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. draped all over him — wasn’t on a linebacker yet showed just how powerful this offense can be at full strength.

Not a good day for the Dolphins linebackers.

Key injury to Savaiinaea

Right guard Jonah Savaiinaea suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter.

The starter was listed as questionable yet never returned. Jarrett Kingston came into replace him.

It’s unclear how long Savaiinaea will be out, but any loss along the offensive line will be critical.

Special teams woes continue

Sometimes the beginning of the game sets the tone for the day.

That was certainly the case when Bengals wideout Dohnte Meyers took the opening kickoff 81 yards.

And while there wasn’t as big of a return for the rest of the afternoon, the Dolphins appear good for at least one special teams blunder a game.

Case in point: kicker Riley Patterson missed an extra point in the final minute of the fourth quarter.

That, needless to say, is not a positive sign. The Dolphins have a lot to work on in the bye week.

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