Quick take: Bengals clinch playoff berth with a narrow 24-21 win in Miami
Incredibly, Joseph is in the right spot and picks off a pass intended for Camarillo
It was over when...
Chad Pennington faked spiking the ball, wasted 2 seconds, then fired it out of bounds. Previously, Bengals punter Kyle Larson had pinned Miami at its own 3 yard line with a beautiful punt. Down by 3 points, Pennington had just over 1 minute left, but only managed to take his Dolphins to around midfield before time expired.
Game ball
With the Bengals’ playoff hopes on the line, Pro Bowl QB Carson Palmer was calm and collected, registering 312 yards and 2 TDs, and surpassing the 4,000 yard mark for the season.
Key stat
Led by Cedric Benson, the Bengals RBs ran for 134 yards on 27 attempts, and, crucially, no fumbles. In a close-fought game between two very evenly matched team, this was enough to allow Cincinnati to hang on to the lead it had built up in the first half despite being shut out in the second.
Noteworthy
Cincinnati dominated the first quarter, but let Miami back into the game when Palmer threw an interception on the first play of the second quarter, and on the very next snap Chad Pennington connected with Greg Camarillo for a 59 yard TD... The Bengals’ pass defense stunk it up yet again, letting Pennington pass for 380 yards... The secondary’s erratic play is epitomised by CB Johnathan Joseph, who was picked on by Pennington all day, but made a crucial interception (his fifth of the season) at the goal line with just over 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter... Joseph leads the NFL in both catches allowed (59) and pass deflections (33)... With the win, the Bengals have clinched a wildcard spot, and now have to travel to Baltimore to face their division rival and nemesis, the Ravens... Meanwhile, the Dolphins face the New York Jets in the second AFC wildcard matchup.
