Cincinnati Bengals vs Miami Dolphins Picks and Predictions for Sunday October 11 2026
The Cincinnati Bengals visit the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET. Cincinnati enters at 2-2 after losing 22-17 to Jacksonville, while Miami remains winless at 0-4 following a 15-10 loss at Minnesota. The Bengals are currently 7-point road favorites, with the total sitting at 42.5 points. Be sure to check out our free NFL picks for more NFL predictions throughout the season.
Cincinnati Needs to Stop the Slide
Cincinnati started 2-0 but has now dropped consecutive games, making Sunday’s trip to Miami more important than it may have looked a few weeks ago. The Bengals weren’t far away against Jacksonville, but a 22-17 home loss exposed an offense that hasn’t been as consistent as expected.
Injuries are becoming part of the equation. Cincinnati has uncertainty within its receiving corps entering the week, and that matters when laying a full touchdown on the road. The Bengals are still clearly in better shape than Miami, but this isn’t a team I want to automatically trust to win by multiple scores.
The matchup itself should give Cincinnati opportunities. Miami has been one of the NFL’s weakest teams through four games and has struggled badly to finish drives. Cincinnati doesn’t need an offensive explosion to control this game.
Sign Up Get $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Offers
Subscribe Now
Miami’s Offense Has Hit Rock Bottom
The Dolphins are 0-4 with a league-worst point differential and have scored only four touchdowns through four games. Sunday’s 15-10 loss at Minnesota was another example of Miami staying somewhat competitive without generating enough offense to actually win.
Miami’s red-zone performance has been particularly damaging. Moving the football means little if possessions continually end without touchdowns, and that problem becomes even more important against a Cincinnati team capable of building separation when given extra opportunities.
The Dolphins being at home makes seven points interesting, but Miami hasn’t shown enough offensive upside for me to trust it. At some point, an underdog needs to score to cover.
Cincinnati Bengals vs Miami Dolphins Picks and Predictions
Pick: Cincinnati Bengals -7
I’ll lay the seven with Cincinnati. The Bengals haven’t played particularly well over the last two weeks, but Miami’s problems run considerably deeper. The Dolphins are 0-4, have the worst point differential in the league and have scored only four touchdowns all season. Cincinnati should have enough offensive opportunities to eventually create separation. A touchdown is a meaningful road number, but the gap between these teams is large enough to justify it.
Pick: Under 42.5
The Under 42.5 is the total pick. Miami’s inability to finish drives is the primary reason. The Dolphins scored only 10 points last week and have produced four touchdowns through four games. Cincinnati has also scored just 17 in each of its last two losses. The Bengals can win this game comfortably without the matchup becoming high scoring, and something in the 27-13 range fits the current profiles.
Final Picks: Cincinnati Bengals -7 and Under 42.5
Betting on the NFL?
- Be sure to look our our list of the best NFL online sportsbooks
- Grow your bankroll by claiming one of our favorite NFL sportsbook promo codes
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Get $250 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 5 days
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonuses
