The Miami Dolphins lose to the Bengals in latest Madden simulation

Last week our Madden predictions did not do the Miami Dolphins any favors and the Dolphins did themselves no favors on the field. Will this week be different?

Our Madden season continues with the Miami Dolphin’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Miami moved to 4-0 in the virtual season, even though the real Dolphins took a beating at the hands of the Patriots last week.

Let’s see how things go against the Bengals on Madden 2019.

1st Quarter

Miami starts with the ball and can’t really get anything going on the ground. Miami picks up the first , though with a nice pass to Devante Parker for 12 yards. Tannehill hits Mike Gesicki for a second first down, but their unable to pick up a third and Miami is forced to punt. Cincinnati gets the ball and moves quickly downfield until they reach Miami’s 44 yard line. The Bengals go for it on fourth down and Miami stops them, taking over on downs!

On the next series, Tannehill gets sacked twice and the offense once again stalls. Miami punts to the two yard line and the dolphins defense forces the Bengals to punt the ball with a three and out. Miami takes the ball for a third time this quarter and, once again, punts it away. Cincinnatti responds with a less than stellar drive, ending the quarter with a 4th and 2 in their own territory.

This has been a very poor first quarter by both teams as neither have been able to really get anything done offensively. Is there a turnaround for either team in the future? Only more simulation will tell!

At the end of the first: Cincinnati 0, Miami 0

2nd Quarter

CIncinnati starts the quarter with a punt and Miami gets the ball on their 20 yard line. Miami moves the ball well through a nice mix of running and passing until they reach the 50 and, once again, they stall out and punt the ball away.

The Bengals have the ball and look like they made some changes at the break as they are albe to pick up some chunk yardage. On the next play, Cincinnati fumbles and it’s recovered by Jordan Phillips! Miami has the ball in great field position and, of course, squanders that away and punts again.

Matt Haack pins the Bengals back within their own 10 yard line and Miami’s defense steps up big, forcing yet another punt from Cincinnati. Miami gets the ball back with 2:15 left and Tannehill hits Gesicki for two big gains. On third and three, Tannehill gets sacked and are forced to punt the ball again.

This really is shaping up to be a battle of poor offenses in this one. Neither team has done anything in the way of moving the ball and can’t seem to get out of their own way. There is only one turnover, however, so maybe that is the hopeful thing to focus on at this point.

We still have a whole half of virtual football ahead of us, so let’s get going!

At the end of the second: Cincinnati 0, Miami 0

3rd Quarter

Let’s hope for some fireworks in this half. Miami kicks to the Bengals who start the quarter with a couple of big gains. The Bengals offense gets into the red zone but is held to a field goal after a big sack by Cameron Wake. Miami takes the ball and Tannehill hits Stills for a big 22 yard gain. After two poor plays and an unfortunately timed drop by Devante Parker, Miami is forced to punt again.

Cincinnati gets the ball back within their 10 yard line and can’t seem to get going again so they are forced to punt. I’m starting to feel like a broken record.

Miami get’s the ball back and Tannehill hits Kenyan Drake for a nice 25 yard gain. Another drop by Parker and poor runs by Drake lead to a 58 yard field goal attempt by Jason Sanders. Sanders can’t convert and Miami is left with no points. Cincinnati gets the ball back with great field position and ends the quarter driving down the field.

What looked bad during the first half, looked worse to start the second. Miami’s offense looks anemic and can’t get out of their own way at times. Maybe things change with the final quarter and they are able to get something done!

At the end of the third: Cincinnati 3, Miami 0

4th Quarter

The “quarter of truth” to see if Miami can recover from an abysmal start on offense. Cincinnati has the ball with good field position and is able to drive down to the red zone and Andy Dalton hits AJ Green for an 8 yard TD strike. Miami blocks the kick and takes over at the 25 after the kickoff.

After a third drop by Devante Parker, Miami is yet again forced to punt but the Dolphins defense responds with a great series ending with a 3rd down sack by Cameron Wake.

Miami has the ball at their own 6 yard line and Tannehill strings together literally three good plays and then takes a sack and the offense stalls again. Miami punts to the 50 yard line, where the Bengals take over. Cincinnati puts together a clock killing drive resulting in a game sealing touchdown by Joe Mixon.

This is Miami’s last chance for points. Tannehill hits a couple of big plays but it looks like the offense stalls again at the 50 yard line after Tannehill is sacked yet again. Miami comes up big, however, and Tannehill converts a big 4th down play to Mike Gesicki. Tannehill caps off the drive with a 19 yard touchdown throw to Danny Amendola and Miami at least gets on the board.

Cincinnati recovers the onside kick attempt and kneels the clock away.

At the end of the fourth: Cincinnati 17, Miami 7

This was not a good day in any way for the Dolphins. They only had 271 yards on the ground and Tannehill was sacked 5 times. Unfortunately, this is very reminiscent of last week’s game against the Patriots. Miami stalled offensively all day and couldn’t do anything and, at least in the virtual world, Miami takes it’s first loss of the season.

I can see this game being a low scoring affair for Miami again and I worry that they won’t be able to overcome the loss of another starting offensive lineman, leading to alot of pressure on Tannehill. I don’t think Miami will be able to pull out a victory against a good Bengals team.

My prediction: Cincinnati 24, Miami 10