This was originally published in The Athletic.

I don’t want to discount, or undermine, what the Bengals did Sunday. Nor do I want to express anything other than elation at a 4-1 start. If anything, I want this to come off as grateful.

So, uh, thank you, Miami Dolphins.

The Bengals are 4-1 and there are plenty of reasons why, just as there were a whole bunch of different things that contributed to their win over the Dolphins. They overcame an entire half of flat, uninspiring football, highlighted by some comically inept special teams play. There was also more end-of-half silliness that had those of us in the men’s room at Paul Brown Stadium exchanging familiar, knowing glances with each other as we silently lamented the 14-zip deficit....

But let’s be honest, the Dolphins were very complicit in their own demise.

To read the entire piece, go to The Athletic.

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