Clemson alums stepped up for the Bengals in a blowout win over the Dolphins, emphasizing the program’s NFL pipeline despite Cincinnati’s playoff elimination.

Despite limited practice and game reps over the last month, Higgins showed no rust against the Dolphins catching three passes for 53 yards and one touchdown. With a strong finish to the season, he could eclipse 1,000 receiving yards for the third time in his career. In 13 games this year, he’s caught 49 passes for 720 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Former Cincinnati Bengals players haven’t made a bunch of noise in recent weeks (remember Logan Wilson playing for the Dallas Cowboys, for example?). But DJ Reader just changed that. Reader took some heat from Detroit Lions fans on social media in the aftermath of his team’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16.

Tee Higgins returned from a concussion and had two impactful catches in the first quarter to set the tone for a season-best performance for the Bengals on Sunday.

The Bengals face the Dolphins in Week 16 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Both teams are eliminated from the playoffs.

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dax Hill (23) tackles Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) in the second quarter of the NFL football game between Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Nov. 2, 2025. | Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

NFL Week 17 odds, picks, predictions, TV channel, streaming information for Sunday's football game between Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals.