Malik Willis Looks Awful in Loss to the Bengals

Malik Willis Looks Awful in Loss to the Bengals

It is a borderline miracle that the Miami Dolphins only lost 31-24 to the Cincinnati Bengals.  Given quarterback Malik Willis‘s poor play, the Bengals should have blown them out. Willis entered Sunday’s contest as a middling performer and left with fans asking whether the team should play Kyle McCord instead. 

In his fifth start for the Dolphins, he went 15 of 27 for 137 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He also fumbled twice, losing one. At one point, he had more interceptions (2) than completions (1). He doesn’t seem to be improving week to week; he can still wow you with long passes or scrambles like today’s 39-yard rush, but he’s terribly inconsistent and, more often than not, he’s just bad. 

If the big question for the season was “Is Malik Willis the possible long-term starter for the Miami Dolphins?” the answer has been a resounding “no”. He’s a backup quarterback who’s been given a chance to prove he can start, and he’s looked like just a backup. This season, he has thrown for 849 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. 

Otherwise, running back Ollie Gordon II has continued to look good filling in for the injured De’Von Achane. He carried the ball 18 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. Rookie wide receiver Chris Bell had a quiet game, with zero catches and one rush for 26 yards. Receiver Malik Willis caught 6 passes for 43 yards; Kevin Coleman Jr. caught 3 for 30 yards and a touchdown, while tight end Greg Dulcich caught 4 for 37. 

On defense, rookie lineback Jacob Rodriguez led the way with 11 tackles, which brings his season total to 57. Jordyn Brooks had 8 tackles before an injury forced him out of the game; Willie Gay Jr. replaced him and tallied 8 tackles of his own. Chris Johnson and Michael Taafee each forced a fumble.