Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati (High-40s, chance of showers 30 percent)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Bengals by 3.5.
2012 records: Dolphins (1-3, AFC East: 0-1); Bengals (3-1, AFC North: 1-1)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Oct. 31, 2010: Dolphins 22, Bengals 14; Dec. 30, 2007: Cincinnati 38, Dolphins 25. Series record: Dolphins lead 14-5.
What matters: The Dolphins dropped their second straight game in overtime but have shown flashes of solid play against good teams. However, another loss to a conference opponent could kill any chance of a playoff berth and may be a crippling blow to the fragile state of a young team.
Who matters: Rookie QB Ryan Tannehill is emerging as one of the best young players at his position in the league. The eighth-overall pick in April’s draft threw for 431 yards and a score in last week’s overtime loss to the Cardinals and showed a veteran pocket presence as he routinely hit his hot receiver to counter various blitz packages. He will need to be just as poised against an aggressive Cincinnati front seven. Meantime, DE Cameron Wake also has exploded. The veteran posted a career-high 4.5 sacks against the Cardinals after failing to record a quarterback takedown the first three weeks. The former Pro Bowler had 8.5 sacks last year after posting 14 in 2010. He has re-established himself as one of the top pass rushers in the game.
Key matchups: CB Sean Smith held Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald to eight catches for 64 yards as the star was targeted 15 times last week. Smith, who had two interceptions against the Cardinals, is the cornerstone of a beleaguered secondary. And even if Smith can help contain Cincinnati star WR A.J. Green, who has 27 catches for 428 yards and three scores, DBs Nolan Carroll and Jimmy Wilson will have a tough time containing Bengals WRs Armon Binns and Andrew Hawkins.
Injuries of note: CB Richard Marshall (back) missed practice Thursday while DT Tony McDaniel (knee), CB Nolan Carroll (Achilles), LB Austin Spitler (groin) and LB Kevin Burnett (foot) were limited.
Inside stuff: Tannehill loves to find WR Davone Bess to move the chains. The former Hawaii star is second in the league in third-down receiving yards (142) and third in third-down receptions (9). Bess excels at crossing routes and short slants and Tannehill is doing a great job using him as a quick outlet to counter blitzes.
Stat you should know: 56.8 Rushing yards allowed per game by the Dolphins, the lowest mark in the league. The team has gone on an NFL-high 18 consecutive games without allowing a 100-yard rusher.
Looking ahead: The Dolphins need to have a win or things could get ugly fast. A third-straight defeat could be the beginning of a very long losing streak. Upcoming games against the Rams, Jets, Colts, Titans and Bills are no gimees as each of them has looked better than the Dolphins at some point this season. And with various injuries to several key players, veterans could begin checking out if the losses pile up.
Prediction: Bengals 27, Dolphins 16
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Miami Dolphins from blogger Dave Carey, follow @CBSDolphins
