Burrow throws 4 TDs, Battle has pair of interceptions as Bengals beat Dolphins 31-24

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase connection never seems to fail for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Chase missed practice time this week after suffering a concussion last Sunday against Jacksonville, but that didn't stop the All-Pro receiver from coming down with a highlight-reel, one-handed touchdown on a 45-yard throw from Burrow Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

“I saw the protection that I really like. It buys me time and space,” Burrow said. "Pushed the ball downfield, and when you push the ball downfield with the guys that we have and (with) that kind of time, you can see what number one can do whenever the ball’s in the air. Obviously, an unbelievable play. You don’t want to take it for granted, but we’re used to it at this point.”

Burrow threw four touchdown passes, safety Jordan Battle had a pair of interceptions and the Bengals beat the Dolphins 31-24 on Sunday.

“It’s a blessing to get these opportunities,” said Chase, who secured the bobbling pass with his right forearm while he was being defended by cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. late in the third. He caught six passes for 77 yards, and his touchdown made it 28-10.

Burrow completed 23 of 32 passes for 190 yards and also threw touchdowns to tight ends Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson and running back Samaje Perine. The Bengals quarterback took advantage of the Dolphins' young secondary, completing passes to nine different receivers.

Battle picked off Malik Willis on back-to-back drives in the second quarter. The veteran had a big game after saying this week he had a tell on how Willis throws the football — pointing out the Dolphins quarterback apparently taps the ball before he throws.

“You study players and see things,” Battle said Sunday, "but it’s just trusting the game plan and putting me in position to make plays.”

The Dolphins (0-5) pulled within 7 with 45 seconds left on a Willis' 1-yard touchdown run, set up by a 23-yard catch by rookie Kevin Coleman Jr., who also caught a touchdown earlier in the fourth. Riley Patterson clanked the extra-point attempt off the left upright, and the ensuing onside kick went out of bounds to end it and snap the Cincinnati's two-game skid.

Willis had just five completions in the first half and finished 15 of 27 with 137 yards passing. The Dolphins offseason free-agent pickup was late on throws and missed several open receivers in addition to the pair of interceptions and a lost fumble.

“We've just got to go back to the drawing board," Willis said, "watch these last few games, compare it to practice, understand what we’re good at, what we’re not good at, understand what guys are comfortable with and what they’re not comfortable with, and then just try to go and execute the next opportunity we can get.”

The Dolphins moved the ball inside the Cincinnati 1 on a 26-yard rush by rookie Chris Bell and runs by Ollie Gordon late in the third. But Willis took an 8-yard sack, then forced a pass to tight end Greg Dulcich that fell incomplete, and Miami settled for Patterson's 29-yard field goal to make it 21-10.

Cincinnati (3-2) led 21-7 at the half, mostly by capitalizing on numerous Dolphins blunders. Miami gave up an 81-yard return to Dohnte Meyers on the opening kickoff. That set up Gesicki's 4-yard TD catch three plays later, and the former Dolphin celebrated by Griddy-ing near the end zone.

The Dolphins responded with an 11-play, 60-yard drive that featured no completed passes — Willis was 0-for-2 — but 51 yards rushing. Ollie Gordon capped it with a 1-yard rush.

Gordon began the season as Miami's third-string running back, but has seemingly moved up the depth chart past backup Jaylen Wright in the absence of De'Von Achane, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 3. Gordon finished with 18 rushes for 88 yards.

Bengals: Linebacker Swayze Bozeman, who entered questionable with a groin injury, left in the third with a right foreman injury and did not return.

Dolphins: LB Jordyn Brooks injured his right foot in the second quarter but returned in the third. ... Right guard Jonah Savaiinaea left in the second with an ankle injury and did not return ... CB JuJu Brents was evaluated and cleared of a concussion in the second, but did not return because of a stinger.

Both teams are on a bye in Week 6.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Barrett Carter sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) during the second half of an NFL football game in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Cincinnati Bengals safety Bryan Cook (6) stops Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II (0) short of the goal line during the second half of an NFL football game in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'marr Chase (1) catches a pass for a touchdown as Miami Dolphins cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. (4) defends during the second half of an NFL football game in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami Gardens, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — C.J. Stroud carried the Houston Texans to their first victory of the season, then his coach announced the quarterback is being reunited with his old Ohio State teammate after a trade with Arizona.

A very nice Sunday indeed for both Stroud and the Texans.

Stroud threw for 261 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score and the Texans snapped their winless start to the season by routing the Tennessee Titans 26-3.

After the win, Stroud was excited at getting to work with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. again.

“I loved him in college,” Stroud said. “He’s probably the hardest worker I’ve ever been around in my life. And then just who he is off the field, he’s a great dude, quiet guy, but definitely you feel his presence. So, I’m excited to get him in here and get him learning, and get him around other guys. And I think it’s perfect for him. I think fresh starts are good.”

This is the second straight season Houston (1-4) ended an opening winless skid by beating Tennessee. This time, the Texans forced two turnovers and Will Anderson Jr. had three of Houston's four sacks with coach DeMeco Ryans taking over the defensive play-calling this week.

“We’re thankful right now to get our first win,” Ryans said. “It’s been a long time coming. Our guys, they poured into work, and they came out, and the work showed itself again on game day. We just have to keep that formula. Everybody just stay humble, keep working the way we work, and we’ll be just fine.”

Ka’imi Fairbairn also kicked four field goals giving the Texans taking a 12-3 halftime lead.

Houston played keep-away over the second and third quarters outgaining the Titans 225-49 and outscoring them 16-0. The Texans held Tennessee to a season-low 187 total yards.

The Titans (0-5) now have lost 11 straight in the AFC South and six straight going back to the end of last season. It's the worst start to a season for this franchise since losing the first six games in 2009.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” first-year coach Robert Saleh said. “One game is not going to define us. We’re going to continue to work. We’re going to continue to find ways to get better. This organization and team will have its day in the sun.”

Tennessee led only after opening with a drive for a 30-yard field goal by Joey Slye. Cam Ward finished throwing for 170 yards.

Then the Texans forced the Titans three-and-out, safety Jalen Pitre recovered a fumble by Tyjae Spears on the next Tennessee drive. Jake Hansen picked off Ward's pass up the middle on the ensuing drive. Houston then forced another three-and-out by the Titans.

Tennessee managed only one sack as Stroud scrambled safely to the sideline. The Titans' secondary didn't have safety Amani Hooker still in the concussion protocol, and the injuries grew quickly after kickoff. Safety Kevin Winston Jr. will have an MRI exam for the tight quadriceps muscle that sidelined him, cornerback Cor'Dale Flott hurt his chest and Tony Adams returned after clearing a concussion evaluation.

Stroud picked apart the Titans, and only the Texans' inability to convert twice inside the Tennessee 20 in the first half kept the final score from being worse. Houston also had to settle for field goals of 35 and 26 yards from Fairbairn after the turnovers.

Houston put the game away in the third quarter with a 17-play drive using up 8 minutes, 23 seconds. Stroud kept the drive alive on third-and-11 escaping All-Pro tackle Jeffery Simmons to find Kayshon Boutte for a tiptoe-catch on the sideline for 23 yards. Stroud finished the drive with a 2-yard keeper for 19-3 lead.

Stroud added a 9-yard TD pass to Jaylin Noel to start the fourth quarter.

Houston hurt itself repeatedly, piling up 11 penalties for 95 yards. The Titans didn't pick up a penalty until 2:49 left in the third quarter and finished with seven for 83 yards.

Texans running back David Montgomery hurt a groin muscle in the second quarter and didn't return. He had just five carries for 11 yards, and Ryans said Montgomery may miss some time. Pitre hurt a shoulder late and will have further tests.

Flott didn't return after hurting his chest. The injury happened when teammate Isaiah Oliver, promoted from the practice squad, hit both Flott and Texans tight end Dalton Schultz on an overthrown pass in the end zone.

The Texans play the Jaguars in London on Sunday.

The Titans visit Indianapolis on Sunday.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh, right, calls for a time out as field judge Sean Petty (28) responds during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Houston Texans place kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn (15) watches after kicking a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, right, talks with offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Houston Texans wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (14) catches a pass along the sideline as Tennessee Titans' Marcus Harris, left, defends during the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) dives into the end zone for a touchdown after running the ball past Tennessee Titans safety Tony Adams (29) and Anthony Hill Jr. (53) during the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)