CINCINNATI — There are no automatic wins in the NFL, but there are games good teams simply cannot afford to lose.
Sunday in Miami qualifies.
The Bengals enter Week 5 at 2-2 after consecutive one-score losses, including last weekend’s frustrating 22-17 defeat against Jacksonville. Cincinnati has dealt with injuries, penalties, and missed opportunities over the past two weeks, but none of that changes what will be waiting at Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami is 0-4 and has been one of the worst teams in football, particularly on offense.
The Dolphins are averaging an NFL-low 11.5 points per game and have scored only four offensive touchdowns through four weeks. Quarterback Malik Willis has completed just 56.3 percent of his passes, and an offense that once terrified defenses with speed has struggled to consistently move the football.
That does not mean Cincinnati can show up and expect Miami to roll over.
The Bengals already learned against Jacksonville how quickly mistakes can turn a winnable game into a loss. Cincinnati committed 11 penalties for 108 yards last week, repeatedly hurting itself in situations where simply staying out of its own way might have been enough.
Those problems become much harder to excuse against an 0-4 opponent, if they are ever excusable (This just in: I do not believe they are).
There are legitimate concerns entering Sunday. Ja’Marr Chase remains in concussion protocol, while Tee Higgins has been dealing with injuries of his own. Cincinnati may once again need meaningful snaps from Dohnte Meyers and Mitch Tinsley, both of whom responded when injuries gutted the receiver room against Jacksonville.
Joe Burrow and the offense may not have their normal collection of weapons, but they should not need a perfect offensive performance to beat Miami.
The Dolphins are allowing 25.3 points per game, while their offense has shown little ability to win a shootout. If Cincinnati protects the football and avoids repeated penalties, the Bengals should be able to control this game.
That “if” has become more important than it should be.
Cincinnati has enough talent to be better than 2-2. The problem through the past two games has not simply been the opponent. Too often, the Bengals have made their own job harder with mistakes that have nothing to do with talent.
Sunday offers an opportunity to clean some of that up.
Miami is desperate for its first victory, and winless teams tend to become increasingly dangerous as the season progresses. The Dolphins will be at home, and Cincinnati could be playing without one or both of its star receivers.
None of those are good enough reasons to lose this game.
The Bengals entered the season expecting to contend in the AFC North and make another postseason run. Teams with those goals have to take advantage when the schedule provides an opponent that is struggling this badly.
Cincinnati does not need style points Sunday.
It needs a win.
