Published Dec 16, 8:00pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Dec 16, 8:00pm ET
Grok AI
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| Miami Dolphins | +2.5 (-110) |
| Cincinnati Bengals | -2.5 (-110) |
Given how mediocre the once-mighty AFC North has become, it wasn't crazy to think that the Bengals could emerge amid the muck and win the division. If they got into the playoffs, with their high-powered offense, they had a puncher's chance against anyone.
After an impressive, borderline dominant win over the Ravens on Thanksgiving night in which QB Joe Burrow returned from his toe injury by completing 24 of 46 passes for 261 yards and 2 TDs, they lost the next two games to the Bills and those same Ravens.
The Week 15 loss at home to Baltimore was especially egregious. Burrow was picked off twice and the Ravens whitewashed the Bengals 24-0. Worse, owner Mike Brown is facing relentless criticism for not cleaning snow off the seats at Paycor Stadium.
The average profit for the Cincinnati Bengals on a home game is $5,500,000.
— Dave Lagana (@Lagana) December 15, 2025
Te average cost to clear the seats after a snow storm is between $48,000 to $150,000 based on man hours.
Never forget this effort if you're a fan of the @Bengals. pic.twitter.com/eCRVC3GTTW
Now there are persistent rumors that Burrow is unhappy. He tried to clarify his remarks to that effect, but this won't go away, particularly with the team annually hovering around .500 and hoping for the best.
It would be peak Bengals to win their last three games against fellow non-playoff teams, Miami, Arizona, and Cleveland, to finish at 7-10 and lower their draft position while they have desperate needs on defense.
Cincinnati can score with anyone, but they're like a flashy performer with more style than substance. It attracts attention, but doesn't reach what's supposed to be the ultimate goal, what they should be with a megastar QB like Burrow and a receiving corps led by Ja'Marr Chase.
ALSO SEE: Buccaneers vs Panthers | Week 16 Odds & NFL Pick (Dec 21)
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| PJ Jules, S | INJURED |
| Tee Higgins, WR | INJURED |
| Trey Hendrickson, DE | INJURED |
The Dolphins epitomize Lucy holding the football and pulling it out of the way just as Charlie Brown is about to kick it. The one time she left the ball there...he kicked her fingers.
After a 2-7 start, with head coach Mike McDaniel's job status being measured in seconds, it was clear that a new regime was coming in to run the team. General manager Chris Grier was fired at the end of October. The team announced that McDaniel would finish the season.
Then they won four straight. Against all odds and reasonable expectations, they were on the bubble for a playoff spot with a favorable schedule ahead of them if they somehow managed to beat the Steelers.
The odds were against them, particularly with QB Tua Tagovailoa's shaky season and poor results in the cold weather. And those factors were fundamental to Miami's 28-15 loss to Pittsburgh.
That does not absolve McDaniel, whose fate is sealed. But he did himself no favors as the 4th quarter rolled around and they were, at best, languid. At worst, they were apathetic.
Tua threw for 253 yards with 2 TDs and 1 pick. But the on-paper results look better than on film. McDaniel did not rule out benching Tua. The Dolphins' backups are former Jets bust Zach Wilson and Miami's 2025 7th-round draft pick out of Texas, Quinn Ewers.
Tua just threw an interception, or as some might call it, a first down arm punt. 😤pic.twitter.com/sEA86lt8o0
— The Kevin Harlan Effect (@KevHarlanEffect) December 16, 2025
Miami needs a full reboot. The no-show in Pittsburgh ends any speculation that maybe McDaniel could miraculously save his job.
Tua is leading the NFL in interceptions. Miami has a legitimately burgeoning star in running back De'Von Achane. They are decent against the pass, indicating they could reasonably corral Burrow.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Minkah Fitzpatrick, S | INJURED |
In Week 16 Bengals-Dolphins, two teams that had high hopes before the season are just trying to finish the campaign. They both have myriad questions moving forward.
Miami needs to decide what it is doing with Tua. The decision on McDaniel has undoubtedly already been made. Or made for them on Monday night.
For the same reason Brown didn't have the snow cleared from the stadium, head coach Zac Taylor will survive and retain his job: money. Brown doesn't like paying people not to work and Taylor is under contract.
The big question for them is Burrow. If he threatens to retire, they may have no choice but to trade him.
This is precisely the type of game the Dolphins will win in impressive fashion to hypnotize the world into thinking they need a few tweaks to contend.
The Dolphins are the home underdog and will cover the spread, likely winning outright.
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Pick
Miami Dolphins +2.5
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