Bengals Week 5 Snap Counts at Dolphins: Cincinnati welcomes back steady veteran in blistering heat
The Cincinnati Bengals braved the heat and defeated the Miami Dolphins, 31-24, to enter their bye week. Sunday’s game at Hard Rock Stadium was the hottest ever for an October matchup. Did the intense heat impact of snap counts? Let’s find out.
The Cincinnati Bengals braved the heat and defeated the Miami Dolphins, 31-24, to enter their bye week.
Sunday’s game at Hard Rock Stadium was the hottest ever for an October matchup. Bengals players knew it was going to be hot, but the sweat poured like never before and what felt like more than just a seven-point victory.
Did the intense heat impact of snap counts? Let’s find out.
Bengals’ Week 5 snap counts at Dolphins
Normal playing time for Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins
Cincinnati was privileged to have both wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase (58) and Tee Higgins (45) back in action after both players missed part of last week’s game. Chase was returning from a concussion, and Higgins from a groin strain. Both were able to play their usual workload against the Dolphins. Chase is averaging just under 93% of snaps played in the four games of which he wasn’t concussed it was on the field for 89% of the time in Miami. Higgins has taken 76.7% of the offense’s snaps this year, which includes his 69% from Sunday.
The Bengals could rely on both of their stars, which meant Dohnte Meyers (19) and Mitch Tinsley (13) took step backs. Meyers hauled in both of his two targets for 12 yards. Tinsley never saw a pass come his way.
It will be good for everyone in Cincinnati’s receiver room to get some needed rest this week. Rookie Colbie Young was a game-time decision and ended up missing his second straight game with a knee injury. It’s entirely possible the Bengals will have all of the receivers on their active roster able to play in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens.
B.J. Hill’s return to defensive tackle rotation
Defensive tackle B.J. Hill (32) played his first game since Week 1 and was on the field for nearly half the day. He recorded one pressure on 14 pass rushing snaps, and was a part of four tackles in run defense. His pass rush win rate was 15.4%, the third-highest on the team, and highest among interior rushers.
Hill’s return was felt through his partner in crime Jonathan Allen (37), who played more than him, but reverted back to his exact Week 1 snap percentage of 56.1%. Allen mustered in additional pressure compared to Hill, and recovered his own strip-sack.
This is exactly what Cincinnati wants out of it it’s two 3-techniques. Dexter Lawrence II (43) still led the group in snaps and didn’t have his most impactful day, but we’ve already seen how valuable he is to this defense through the first month of the year. He will have better days, and the Bengals defense will perform accordingly.
Expert analysis on Bengals Week 5 snap counts at Dolphins
Other key takeaways from Cincinnati’s third win of the season:
- Tight ends Drew Sample (34) and Erick All Jr. (34) each played the same number of snaps as the Bengals lived in 12 personnel for much of the game.
- Defensive end Shemar Stewart (8) played the most snaps he’s played through four games this year. His season long snap count is just 17.
- Backup linebacker Oren Burks (9) once again spilled starter Demetrius Knight Jr. (55) during specific portions of the game. Knight notably needed an IV during Week 1.
