The Cincinnati Bengals head to Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday looking for a much-needed win, but the remnants of Hurricane Isaias could complicate an already difficult afternoon against the Miami Dolphins.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Bengals enter at 2-2 after dropping their last two games.
Hurricane Isaias became the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season and was strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday. The National Hurricane Center projected landfall along the northern Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday, well north of South Florida.
Miami is not in the direct path. Still, outer bands and lingering moisture raise the chance of showers and thunderstorms around the game.
The Weather Channel included the Bengals-Dolphins matchup on a list of NFL games where fans should prepare for wet conditions and bring rain gear. No hurricane-force winds are expected in Miami, and there have been no reports of any postponement discussion.
Forecasts for Hard Rock Stadium have varied by source but generally call for warm, humid weather in the mid-to-upper 80s. Precipitation chances have ranged from the low teens to around 27 percent in recent updates, with winds mostly in the single digits to low teens.
For a Bengals team trying to steady itself, even scattered storms add another variable. Cincinnati lost 30-27 at Pittsburgh on Sept. 27 and fell 22-17 to Jacksonville at home on Oct. 4.
The ground game has been a clear weak point. The Bengals rank near the bottom of the league in rushing, and they managed only 23 team rushing yards on 15 carries against the Jaguars.
That lack of balance puts more pressure on the passing attack. Joe Burrow threw for more than 400 yards in the Jacksonville loss, but the offense still could not close out the game.
Injuries at wide receiver make the situation tighter. Ja’Marr Chase is dealing with a concussion suffered early against Jacksonville, and Tee Higgins left that game with an adductor issue. Both were listed as questionable heading into the week.
If one or both are limited, Burrow will have fewer proven options downfield. Rain or a slick ball would only heighten the difficulty of relying on the pass.
Wet conditions often tilt games toward the run. Cincinnati has not established that phase through four weeks, so any shift in the elements could expose the same issues that have already slowed the offense.
The Bengals opened the season with wins over Tampa Bay and Houston before the two-game skid. A victory in Miami would even their record and keep them in the mix in a crowded AFC North.
Dolphins injuries, including running back De’Von Achane, offer some opportunity on the other side. Cincinnati’s focus remains on correcting its own problems before weather becomes part of the story.
Team officials have not indicated any change in preparation plans. Players and coaches will monitor updates through the weekend as the storm’s remnants move inland and forecasts for South Florida firm up.
Sunday still offers a chance to reset. How the Bengals handle both the Dolphins and whatever conditions arrive will say plenty about where the season is headed.
