Brief
Bengals welcome early bye after 31‑24 win in Miami
Coach Zac Taylor says the early bye gives the Bengals a chance to rest after a three‑game stretch that ended with a 31‑24 win in Miami.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor said the team's early bye week is welcome after a 31‑24 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in 90‑degree heat and high humidity.
What happened
The Bengals defeated the Dolphins 31‑24 at Hard Rock Stadium. The game opened with temperatures of 90 °F and humidity that "drain you," according to Taylor. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, returning from concussion protocol, caught six passes for 77 yards and a 45‑yard touchdown in the third quarter that pushed the lead to 28‑10. Tee Higgins, nursing a groin injury from Oct. 4, added two catches for 22 yards, while safety Bryan Cook contributed five tackles despite ankle issues.
What the reports add
The Associated Press piece notes that the Bengals sit 3‑2 on the season, one game behind the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North, and will meet the Ravens on Oct. 25 in Baltimore. Taylor highlighted that the bye falls closer to Thanksgiving, giving the team a chance to recover before colder weather.
What was said
"You kind of like it more toward Thanksgiving. But I do think just where our team is right now and the way that these last three games have gone down to the wire and guys playing through some stuff right now, it is a good time to get our legs back underneath us," Taylor told the AP.
"The heat really does drain you to where I’m sure it affects you the next week. So I’m happy our guys will be able to recover and get their legs back under us and start getting ready for some colder weather, which we’re very familiar with as the season gets going," Taylor added.
How it came about
The Bengals entered the Miami game after a three‑game stretch that included a win at Jacksonville on Oct. 4, where Higgins suffered his groin injury. The early bye was initially a disappointment to Taylor when he first saw the schedule, but the recent win and the physical toll of playing in extreme heat have turned it into a strategic advantage.
Key facts
- The Bengals beat the Dolphins 31‑24 in Miami on Oct. 11, 2026. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Ja’Marr Chase had six receptions for 77 yards and a 45‑yard touchdown. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The team is 3‑2 on the season and one game behind the Ravens in the AFC North. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Coach Zac Taylor said the early bye will help the team recover from heat and injuries. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Sources
- [1] winnipegfreepress.com — originally reported as “Bengals embrace an early bye after a win in Miami”
