This Sunday, the Miami Dolphins are gearing up to play the Cincinnati Bengals, who are 4-10. Originally, this was supposed to be a Sunday Night Football game, but since both teams have losing records and aren't going to the playoffs, it got switched out for Ravens-Patriots.

The big story is that Miami is benching Tua Tagovailoa. Rookie Quinn Ewers, who was picked in the seventh round, is starting instead. It's Ewers' very first start, and it's the first time coach Mike McDaniel has benched Tagovailoa.

Some good news for the Dolphins: Jordyn Brooks will probably play. He was out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a foot and knee problem, but he practised a bit on Friday. Brooks told the media he's playing on Sunday.

About Jordyn Brooks' Season

Brooks has been a key player for the Dolphins' defence, and he's currently leading the NFL in tackles. He already broke a Dolphins record for the most tackles by a player in his first two seasons, beating Hall of Famer Zach Thomas. NFL analyst Gregg Rosenthal said Brooks has been awesome all year. All-Pro consideration worthy.” ESPN analyst Benjamin Solak agreed, saying he’s been playing at an All-Pro level, even though the defence doesn't have a lot of other great players.

Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver chimed in on Brooks, “He’s the best linebacker in the league… Everything you want and expect out of an inside linebacker, he is. He deserves [a Pro Bowl] nod. I think he deserves All-Pro.” Good thing for Miami that he’ll be out there against the Bengals.

Brooks joined Miami before the 2024 season, signing a three-year deal for $26.25 million. After 2025, his contract isn't guaranteed anymore, so he'll probably want a new deal after the season. Even though the Dolphins aren't having a great season, Brooks has been doing great, and he'll likely get that extension from the team.

Dolphins vs. Bengals

The Dolphins' defence, with Brooks leading the way, will be up against a Bengals offence that can score points. Even though they're 4-10, Cincinnati has Joe Burrow back, and Tee Higgins might be playing too. The last time these teams played was on Thursday Night Football in 2022. The Dolphins lost 27–15, and Tua Tagovailoa got a concussion and had to be taken off the field.

Rookie Quinn Ewers will be facing the Bengals' defence, which is ranked 32nd. Before the game, coach Mike McDaniel said about the rookie quarterback, “I see the reason we made the move that way. It wasn’t perfect. But the competitive response and conviction at the position after anything would go awry—I really like that about him, and it really showed off.” Ewers started 37 games in college, throwing for 68 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.

The NFL wasted no time fining Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua after he kept criticizing the league's refs, both before and after the Thursday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Nacua talked about his comments after the game, and so did Rams head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Usually, the league announces player fines for the week on Saturday. Not this time.

Puka Nacua Gets Fined After Rams Game

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported on X on December 19: The NFL has fined #Rams WR Puka Nacua $25,000 for his comments about officiating, a source says. Nacua had compared officials to lawyers and said they make calls to be on TV.

Nacua 100% agreed with Ross's question of whether the refs are b***********.

The Rams player even said the refs are the worst.

“These guys are lawyers, and they want to be on TV, too, bro.” “You don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Yo, you guys just saw me on “Sunday Night Football”? That wasn’t PI, but I called it.’

Ross even offered to pay any fines Nacua might get for saying those things. Nacua replied that he 100% could earn fines for such comments.

Puka Nacua Sticks to His Guns on Officiating

After the game, Nacua didn't back down from his criticisms. He even posted something on social media, but he took it down later.

“Can you say I was wrong?” Nacua asked right after the Rams lost to the Seahawks on December 18 before deleting it fast. “Appreciate your stripes for your contribution.”

Nacua later downplayed his comments but still showed some annoyance with some calls.

“No, I don’t [really believe what he said]. It’s just a lack of awareness,” Nacua told reporters after the game, just some annoyance.

“There are moments where I feel like, ‘Man, you watch other games, and you think of the calls that some guys get. And you wish you could get some of those. But that’s just how football is played, and I’ll do my job to work on my technique to make sure that there’s not an issue with the call.”

Sean McVay Talks to Puka Nacua About His Referee Comments

Nacua mentioned that McVay spoke with him about the comments. He said his coach echoed that he’s always in continuous support of me.

“[McVay was] disappointed in some of the actions, just distracting my teammates,” Nacua said. “Some I know I’ll learn from, and some I don’t want to be a distraction in any week, and especially in a short week. So I—we had talked about that, and he’s right there behind me.”

Nacua talked about his passion for football and how hard he works to get ready, but he said he wasn't trying to be a distraction.

McVay also didn't think that Nacua was a distraction; he mentioned his 12 catches, 225 yards, and 2 touchdowns as proof. Even so, he was disappointed.

There is a time and place for some things. And there are comments that I should definitely say to the guys in the locker room and be aware of the situation that we're in, Nacua said about what he learned, also saying he wanted to show that to the whole team.

Then also, just to stay [focused] and use every moment to prepare for the week.

Stafford said that he didn't even know about Nacua's comments. The Rams QB relied on Nacua, since Davante Adams was out with a hamstring injury.