Week 11 Win Recapped in Detail for the Miami Dolphins

In the race for AFC playoff positioning, every win carries weight—and the Miami Dolphins’ Week 11 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals was more than just a notch in the win column. It was a statement win, a 34-27 triumph that showcased the team’s resilience, offensive firepower, and defensive grit against a Bengals squad that had won four of their last five games. Played at Hard Rock Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 65,326, the game was a back-and-forth battle that wasn’t decided until the final two minutes, with the Dolphins making key plays on both sides of the ball to secure the win. For Mike McDaniel’s team, the victory extended their winning streak to five games, pushing their record to 7-4 and solidifying their spot as a top contender in the AFC East. Week 11 Win Recapped in Detail for the Miami Dolphins isn’t just a recap of scores and stats—it’s a breakdown of how the Dolphins turned a tight game into a statement, one critical play at a time.

Week 11 Win Recapped in Detail for the Miami Dolphins begins with the first half’s back-and-forth action, which set the tone for a high-scoring battle. The Bengals struck first, with quarterback Joe Burrow connecting with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase on a 22-yard touchdown pass just 4:32 into the game. But the Dolphins responded quickly: on their first offensive drive, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa led a 75-yard march, capped off by a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill, who beat Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt with a quick slant route. The first half saw both teams trading blows: the Bengals added a field goal to take a 10-7 lead, but the Dolphins answered with a 4-yard rushing touchdown from De’Von Achane, who broke three tackles on his way to the end zone. The Bengals tied the game at 17-17 with 1:12 left in the second quarter, but the Dolphins weren’t done—Tagovailoa hit Hill again, this time for a 35-yard completion, setting up a 38-yard field goal from Jason Sanders as time expired. At halftime, the Dolphins led 20-17, a lead that came thanks to Tagovailoa’s 185 passing yards and Hill’s 102 receiving yards in the first two quarters alone.

A critical turning point in Week 11 Win Recapped in Detail for the Miami Dolphins came in the third quarter, when the Dolphins’ defense stepped up to take control. After the Bengals tied the game at 20-20 with a 44-yard field goal early in the quarter, the Dolphins’ defense forced a three-and-out on Cincinnati’s next drive—keyed by a sack from defensive end Jaelan Phillips, who beat Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. with a speed rush to drop Burrow for a 7-yard loss. The stop gave the Dolphins’ offense momentum, and they capitalized: Tagovailoa led a 10-play, 80-yard drive, finishing with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Durham Smythe, who caught the ball in the back of the end zone despite tight coverage from Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson. The Dolphins’ defense wasn’t done: on the Bengals’ next possession, safety Jevon Holland intercepted Burrow, picking off a pass intended for Chase and returning it 15 yards to the Bengals’ 30-yard line. While the Dolphins didn’t score on the ensuing drive (Sanders missed a 48-yard field goal), the interception halted the Bengals’ momentum and kept Miami in control of the game. By the end of the third quarter, the Dolphins led 27-20, and their defense had recorded three sacks and one interception—marking their most dominant quarter of the season against a top-tier offense like Cincinnati’s.

Week 11 Win Recapped in Detail for the Miami Dolphins is particularly notable for the Miami Dolphins’ offensive stars, who delivered clutch performances when the game was on the line. Tagovailoa was sharp all day, finishing 28-of-39 for 325 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions—his sixth game this season with over 300 passing yards. Hill was his usual dynamic self, catching 12 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown, including a crucial 20-yard catch on third-and-10 with 3:15 left in the game that extended the Dolphins’ final scoring drive. Achane added 89 rushing yards and one touchdown on 18 carries, using his speed and elusiveness to keep the Bengals’ run defense off balance. Even the Dolphins’ offensive line, which had struggled with penalties earlier in the season, played well—allowing just one sack and creating holes for Achane on the ground. “Our offense has been clicking lately, and today was no different,” Tagovailoa said after the game. “Tyreek and De’Von made big plays, the line protected me, and we executed when we needed to. That’s what good teams do.” For the Miami Dolphins, the offensive performance was a reminder of why they’re one of the most feared scoring units in the NFL—and why they’re a legitimate threat to make a deep playoff run.

Another key aspect of Week 11 Win Recapped in Detail for the Miami Dolphins is the game’s final two minutes, which tested the Dolphins’ composure and sealed the victory. After the Bengals tied the game at 27-27 with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Joe Mixon with 2:11 left, the Dolphins needed a clutch drive to avoid overtime—and they delivered. Starting at their own 25-yard line, Tagovailoa hit Hill for 12 yards on first down, then found wide receiver Jaylen Waddle for 18 yards to move the ball to the Bengals’ 45-yard line. Two plays later, Tagovailoa connected with Hill again for 20 yards, setting up first-and-goal at the Bengals’ 5-yard line. On third-and-goal, with just 32 seconds left, Tagovailoa threw a fade pass to Waddle, who beat Bengals cornerback Dax Hill to catch the ball in the corner of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. The play was a perfect example of the Dolphins’ offensive chemistry: Tagovailoa placed the ball perfectly, and Waddle made a contested catch to secure the win. “That final drive was all about trust,” Waddle said. “Tua believes in us, we believe in him, and we went out there and got the job done.” For the Miami Dolphins, the game-winning drive was a testament to their ability to perform under pressure—a skill that will be crucial in the playoffs.

Finally, Week 11 Win Recapped in Detail for the Miami Dolphins highlights the significance of the victory for the Dolphins’ season and playoff aspirations. With the win, the Dolphins moved into a tie with the Buffalo Bills for first place in the AFC East, and their five-game winning streak is the longest in the AFC this season. The victory also proved that the Dolphins can beat top teams—Cincinnati entered the game with a 6-4 record and was ranked sixth in the NFL in total offense. For McDaniel, the win was another validation of his coaching philosophy, which emphasizes speed, precision, and accountability. “This win says a lot about our team’s character,” McDaniel said. “We didn’t panic when the Bengals tied it up—we just went out there and executed. That’s the mark of a team that’s ready to compete for something special.” Looking ahead, the Dolphins have a favorable schedule for the rest of the season, with games against the Washington Commanders, Denver Broncos, and New York Jets—all teams with losing records. If they can keep their momentum going, the Dolphins could secure a first-round bye in the playoffs and potentially host a conference championship game. Week 11 Win Recapped in Detail for the Miami Dolphins wraps up with this truth: wins like this one aren’t just about the present—they’re about building confidence and momentum for the future. And for the Dolphins, the future is looking brighter than ever.