Key Takeaways

• Taylor acknowledged he initially didn’t love the early bye but believes the timing now helps the team recover after a 31-24 win over Miami in which the heat and humidity affected players’ legs.
• Chase logged six catches for 77 yards, capped by a 45-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, after coming out of concussion protocol midweek, signaling a return to form.
• Higgins contributed two catches for 22 yards despite a groin issue noted earlier in the week, and Cook remained impactful on defense with five tackles while managing ankle concerns.
• Dohnte Meyers, the offseason CFL signing, opened the game with an 81-yard kickoff return, setting up a quick scoring opportunity for Cincinnati and boosting his specialized-teams value (27.2-yard return average, ninth in the AFC).
• The Bengals’ run defense remains a focal point, having allowed 147.1 yards per game last season and 155.3 yards over the past three weeks after a strong start, with Miami totaling 217 rushing yards in the matchup.
• Linebacker Swayze Bozeman suffered a right forearm fracture and was placed on injured reserve, further thinning a defense already adjusting to injuries.
• Piecing together progress in the passing game, Joe Burrow’s connection with Chase has produced 18 TDs on 40+-yard throws over the past 40 seasons’-equivalent era, while kicker Evan McPherson extended a franchise-record streak of 22 straight field goals.