CINCINNATI — A strong defensive effort and a big fourth quarter propelled the Cincinnati Bengals to a 27-15 win over the Miami on Thursday night at Paycor Stadium.
However, the was game marred by a horrific moment when Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was taken off the field on a stretcher during the second quarter.
On the play, Tagovailoa was chased down Cincinnati Josh Tupou and thrown to the ground hard. He remained on the ground for more than seven minutes before being taken to a hospital. Initial reports say he suffered head and neck injuries.
Tagovailoa came in to Thursday's game with what the team described as a sore back resulting from an injury he suffered during Sunday's game against Buffalo. He appeared to be disoriented, even awkwardly stumbling and falling after taking a hard hit from Bill linebacker Matt Milano in the first half. Tagoviloa would return for the second half of the game.
He was listed as questionable for most of the week ahead of tonight's game.
Tagovailoa was taken to nearby hospital, but was expected to be released and fly home with the team. Coach Mike McDaniel said postgame, that he had sustained a concussion. The future of the Dolphin quarterback is uncertain.
The Bengals opened up the scoring as they took the opening drive marching 75 yards in 9 plays, taking 4:41 off the clock, and culminating with Joe Mixon reaching the end zone from 5 yards out for the games' first points. Evan McPherson added the extra point and the Bengals led 7-0.
Miami (3-1) responded with a long, methodical scoring drive of their own, covering 70 yards over nine plays but ended up settling for a 23-yard field goal from Jason Sanders to cut the score to 7-3 with 6:05 remaining in the opening period.
The Bengals appeared to look more like the defending AFC Champions. Accompanied by a defense forcing turnovers and a revamped offensive line, Joe Burrow led the offensive attack going 20 for 31 for 287 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Tee Higgins caught seven passes for 124 yards and a score.
Cincinnati (2-2) extended their lead in the second quarter as Burrow would connect with Higgins for a 59-yard score with 2:50.
The Dolphins would score right before the half with a touchdown pass by backup Teddy Bridgewater to Chase Edmonds to make the score 14-12 in favor of Cincinnati as both teams went into the locker room.
McPherson kicked two fourth-quarter field goals — including a 57-yarder — to give the Bengals a slim lead.
The Bengals would seal the win, just after the two-minute warning, as Burrow threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Hurst to finalize the score at 27-15.
The score was set up as a result of Cincinnati safety Vonn Bell intercepting Bridgewater with three minutes left in the game.
Bridgewater threw an incomplete pass on Miami's final drive to turn the ball over on downs with 57 seconds left and Cincinnati ran the clock out for the win.
Tagovailoa was 8 for 14 for 110 yards and an interception before his injury. Bridgewater finished the game 14 of 23 for 193 yards, a touchdown and an interception in relief.
Tyreek Hill paced the Dolphins offense with 10 catches for 160 yards. Jason Sanders converted three field goals and had one blocked. He also missed a point-after attempt.
The Bengals will be in Baltimore on Sunday, Oct. 9 as they face the North Division rival Ravens.
Miami 3 9 3 0 = 15
Cincinnati 7 7 0 13 = 27
First Quarter
CIN — Joe Mixon 5 run (Evan McPherson kick), 10:19 MIA — Jason Sanders 23 field goal, 6:05 Second Quarter
MIA — Jason Sanders 48 field goal, 7:31 CIN — Tee Higgins 59 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson kick), 2:50 MIA — Chase Edmonds 7 pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Jason Sanders PAT failed), :09
Third Quarter
MIA — Jason Sanders 20 field goal, 2:40
Fourth Quarter
CIN — Evan McPherson 19 field goal, 12:00
CIN — Evan McPherson 57 field goal, 6:13
CIN — Hayden Hurst 2 pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson kick), 1:52
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