Burfict's back, just in time for the Bengals.
Linebacker Vontaze Burfict has completed his three-game NFL suspension for repeated illegal hits. Cincinnati certainly hopes he returns with an edge to his game, but a controllable one.
We'll find out tonight when the Bengals (tied for No. 14, AP Pro32) are 6-point favorites over the struggling Dolphins (No. 26, AP Pro32). Cincinnati has lost its past two.
"I still want him to be an aggressive player," defensive coordinator Paul Guenther says. "I don't want any linebackers being passive. But again, at the same time, people are going to be looking for him, so he's got to understand that and do it the right way. Hopefully he learned his lesson off what happened."
For Dolphins fans, there's the hope they learned a lesson, too. They barely beat weak Cleveland, needing three missed field goals, including a potential winner at the end of regulation by Cody Parkey, to survive. Then they won in overtime.
This has been a lopsided matchup, with Miami ahead 16-5. The Dolphins have won three in a row in the series.
That string ends now. ... Bengals 27-18.
Sports on 09/29/2016