Miami Dolphins Feel Sweet Taste of Victory, Defeat Cincinnati Bengals 22-20 in Overtime

Oct 31, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake (91) celebrates with defensive tackle Randy Starks (94) defensive tackle Jared Odrick (98) and safety Jimmy Wilson (27) after Wake

After running into a road block for the past three games, the Miami Dolphins (4-4) treated themselves with a 22-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) as emphatic Cameron Wake sacked third-year quarterback Andy Dalton in the end zone in overtime on Halloween night.

The Dolphins — who in the previous three weeks couldn’t hold onto a victory with the lead at halftime — found a way to snap their three-game losing streak despite the Bengals 17-point comeback in the second half. One of the problems Miami had coming into Thursday’s game was making the most of their opportunities, and well, that changed on one swing of a boot and an interception for a touchdown.

Rookie Caleb Sturgis, a prized kicker before missing three of his last four field goal attempts in the three previous games, rose for the occasion and split the uprights when it mattered most in the fourth quarter. Sturgis wasn’t the only player to shake out of a slump,  cornerback Brent Grimes, who has been waiting for his moment similar to his preseason performances, intercepted a ball away from Bengals receiver Marvin Jones for a 94-yard return for a touchdown. Dimitri Patter added his fourth interception on the year and Danelle Ellerbe shelve an interception as well. Additionally, Miami allowed Dalton to record 338, but sacked him five times in the game.

Miami’s second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill has experienced complications managing the game and keeping possession of the football, on Thursday, he led his team in the proper direction recording 208 yards, and most importantly, zero turnovers. Tannehill led his team down the field with a 50-yard drive down the stretch in the final quarter and in the second possession of overtime.

Emerging into Thursday’s game, Miami averaged 89 rushing yards per game (23rd in the NFL), but in the aftermath of great speed and power, Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas combined for 157 yards against the Bengals’ strong front seven with less bodies on their offensive line.

Miami will have 11 days to prepare and then it’s off to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That game will be on Monday at 8:30 p.m.