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Tribune News Service

Sport

Safid Deen

Dolphins beat Bengals, but on-field altercation involving Brian Flores, DeVante Parker and others mars contest

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) sets up to pass against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Charles Trainor/Miami Herald/TNS)

Miami Dolphins receiver Jakeem Grant, the smallest player on the field, was waiting for a punted football to fall into his arms.

Instead, Grant landed on his back after a tackle by Cincinnati Bengals receiver Mike Thomas while the football was still in the air, setting off a chain of events that marred the Dolphins' 19-7 win over the Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

Dolphins coach Brian Flores left the sideline to meet a crowd of players tussling after the play and shouted a statement to Bengals safety Shawn Williams.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jakeem Grant (19) with an incomplete pass by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback LeShaun Sims (38) defends in the second quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Charles Trainor/Miami Herald/TNS)

Flores, the second-year Dolphins coach in contention for NFL coach of the year this season, had no other physical contact with any Bengals player.

As Flores was first met by offensive lineman Jesse Davis and ushered back to his side by Dolphins director of security Drew Brooks, Williams threw a punch at Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker, who responded with punches of his own.

Parker, Williams, and Dolphins receiver Mack Hollins, who was penalized for a blindside block after the Grant tackle, all ejected. Thomas and Bengals safety William Jackson III were penalized after the sequence, which occurred with roughly 12 minutes left in the game.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mack Hollins (86) and wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) are ejected from the game after a brawl in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Charles Trainor/Miami Herald/TNS)

And both teams proceeded to finish Sunday's contest which saw Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa get into an offensive rhythm in the third quarter, Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders kick four field goals, and the Dolphins winning their seventh game in eight contests.

Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard secured his eighth interception of the season despite an ejection himself, outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy had three sacks and defensive ends Emmanuel Ogbah and Shaq Lawson each had a sack in the fourth quarter.

Lawson's sack even caused Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen to leave due to a chest injury, with backup Ryan Finley finishing the game for Cincinnati and throwing an interception to Dolphins nickel back Nik Needham to secure the victory.

Miami Dolphins running back Myles Gaskin (37) stiff arms Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Margus Hunt (70) in the first half on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Charles Trainor/Miami Herald/TNS)

It was originally dubbed a contest between Tagovailoa, the Dolphins' No. 5 pick, and Bengals' No. 1 pick Joe Burrow before the top pick sustained a season-ending knee injury two weeks ago.

It turned into a sloppy slugfest in front of an announced crowd of 12,577 at Hard Rock Stadium due with respect to COVID-19 protocols.

Tagovailoa earned the start and showed the commotion surrounding his heavily bandaged thumb was unnecessary after his poor first half.

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson (22) intercepts a pass by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) in the first quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Charles Trainor/Miami Herald/TNS)

Tagovailoa rebounded from a 12 of 19 start for 111 yards, and he finished 26 of 39 for 296 yards and a touchdown to tight end Mike Gesicki in the third quarter.

The Dolphins' offense still needs some work, particularly in the red zone, and especially before hosting the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs next week.

And they may have some injuries to overcome in their final four games with veteran left guard Ereck Flowers leaving the game due to a lower leg injury, and linebacker Elandon Roberts sidelined by a chest injury.