Bengals vs Dolphins Week 4: Scores, Highlights, and Takeaways From Thursday Night Football As Tua Tagovailoa Left the Game Due to Injury

The Bengals entered “Thursday Night Football” as the favorites to defeat an undefeated team the same week that they built an indoor practice facility, the same evening that they inducted two alumni into the Ring of Honor, and the same game they introduced their new white helmets.

On Thursday Night Football, the Bengals defeated the Miami Dolphins by a final score of 27-15 to earn their second straight victory and square their record at 2-2.

Cincinnati Bengals Miami Dolphins
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – OCTOBER 31: The Cincinnati Bengals snap the ball against the Miami Dolphins during a game at Sun Life Stadium on October 31, 2013 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

With one of the greatest games of wide receiver Tee Higgins’ career and a game-winning interception by safety Vonn Bell, the Bengals demonstrated that they were able to bounce back from their 0-2 start to the season.

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Thursday Night Football Takeaways

Tua Tagovailoa’s scary injury: During Miami’s victory over Buffalo last Sunday, Tagovailoa was treated for possible head injuries and back and ankle problems when he entered the game. He did not have a concussion at that time.

Tua Tagovailoa is anticipated to receive a hospital discharge shortly and return with the team.

The turning point of the game: The Dolphins were on the move with little over three minutes left in the fourth quarter and a five-point deficit. Bridgewater drew back and attempted to swiftly find tight end Mike Gesicki in the center of the field on second down, barely six yards from the red zone.

Vonn Bell earned his second interception of the evening after intercepting the pass that was behind Gesicki. After Burrow took over in hostile territory, the Bengals increased their advantage to 12 points five plays later on a touchdown run of two yards by Hayden Hurst.

Best play sequence of the game: Bridgewater might not have the potential that many have seen from Tagovailoa through this season’s first three games. He is, nevertheless, among the NFL’s top backups.

At the conclusion of the first half, Bridgewater directed a touchdown drive that pulled Miami within 14-12. A 7-yard shovel pass to Chase Edmonds ended the drive. A Miami field goal that resulted from this play gave the Dolphins their first lead of the game.

Marvin Lewis’ primetime curse broken: The curse appears to have been permanently lifted. Another example of the Cincinnati culture that Zac Taylor cultivated was Thursday night football.

When it came to the planning and execution of the whiteout for fans, the franchise handled it beautifully. But on whatever platform these days, the team, the players, and the coaches just don’t flinch.

Miami’s offensive improvements despite loss: The offensive line for Miami has certainly improved. At left tackle and center, respectively, Terron Armstead and Connor Williams have added solidity.

Additionally, Miami quarterbacks were only sacked once, on the play in which Tua was hurt. This maintains a pattern, as Miami had a very acceptable rate of sacks per pass attempted going into the game.

Bengals protected Burrow to snatch the win: Joe Burrow was well-protected by the Bengals’ offensive line in this game, which substantially aided their 13-point fourth-quarter flurry that overpowered the Dolphins.

Burrow threw for 138 yards and a score on 3 of 6 shots with 20 or more air yards. Burrow is protected by Cincinnati, and points are scored.

How Dolphins lost: Without their primary quarterback, the Dolphins did have a lead going into the fourth quarter, but they utterly failed to convert on third down and in the end zone. Miami only scored one touchdown on those attempts, going 2 of 10 on third down and going 1 of 3 in the end zone.

Over the past few seasons, the Dolphins have consistently been among the league’s top teams at reducing penalties. But on Thursday night, there were a few too many throughout the first half.

The Dolphins occasionally lacked focus, and they also missed a scoring opportunity. Chase Edmonds, a running back who often has good hands, was unable to make a grab in the end zone.

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