The Miami Dolphins dropped another heartbreaker on Sunday — losing to the visiting Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 31-24. The team kept it close for much of the afternoon, but ultimately fell short due to the firepower possessed by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and company, in addition to their own inability to play a consistent football game from start to finish.
It’s been a rough season so far, but if you weren’t expecting this year to be one filled with mistakes and growing pains, that’s probably
more on you than it is on the team. 2026 was always about stripping the squad down to the screws and building it back up again while evaluating who can be a building block for a better future.
As we do after every game, let’s take a look at whose stock is rising — allowing them to be a part of Miami’s plans moving forward — and whose stock is falling.
FINS UP
Our Fins Up player of the week is second-year running back Ollie Gordon II. Gordon was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but failed to make much of an impact during his rookie season — totaling just 199 yards rushing on 70 attempts (2.8 yards per carry) and three rushing scores.
Fast forward to 2026 where Gordon has taken over the starting running back role after an ACL tear to the team’s original starter, De’Von Achane. This season, Gordon has played in just four of five Dolphins games, but he’s already surpassed last year’s rushing yardage total, while equaling his touchdowns scored from last season as well.
On Sunday, he had 88 yards rushing on 18 attempts, plus a rushing score. His power-running style punished the Bengals all game long, allowing Miami to keep the score close. Thankfully, Jon-Eric Sullivan didn’t give up on Gordon after his subpar first year in the league…
FINS DOWN
Speaking of someone fans are ready to give up on already, quarterback Malik Willis is our Fins Down player of the week for his three turnover performance against the Bengals on Sunday. Willis threw two interceptions and lost a fumble against Cincinnati, effectively coughing-up any chance Miami had of stealing a victory.
Willis has had a rough start to his Dolphins tenure. Through five games, Miami’s first-year starter has just 849 yards passing (169.8 yards per game), two passing scores, and four interceptions. He has added 186 yards rushing and two touchdowns with his legs. His poor play is a big reason why the Dolphins have yet to notch a win on the young season.
However, despite the desperate cries from frustrated Fins fans, Willis should not be benched in favor of backup, Kyle McCord. In a year where the Dolphins aren’t expected to compete, they need to get a full evaluation of as many players as possible, including Willis, to determine how they’ll spend their cap space next offseason, as well as their draft picks. Five games is not enough of a sample size to say that Willis cannot be the guy moving forward, even if his play to start the season has been severely lacking.
Jon-Eric Sullivan is too smart to give up on a player with Willis’ potential this early.
