Bengals' WR Tyler Boyd, Dolphins' CB Xavien Howard Ejected After Trading Punches

Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd and Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard were ejected in the second quarter of Sunday's matchup after trading punches.

The penalty occurred with just over a minute to play in the first half following an incomplete pass from Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen, which was intended for Boyd. Cincinnati received a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on the play. Miami was not penalized for the altercation.

On the subsequent play, Bengals kicker Randy Bullock missed a 53-yard field goal.

Boyd had one catch for 72 yards and a touchdown in the first half while Howard had four tackles and an interception.

Boyd and Howard's fight wasn't the lone brawl in Miami on Sunday. The two teams engaged in another fight in the fourth quarter after an illegal hit on Dolphins return man Jakeem Grant. Miami coach Brian Flores was angry and stomped across the field to Cincinnati's sideline, yelling at an unidentified person. Flores's security pulled him back and told him to return to his sideline.

Miami went on to defeat the Bengals 19–7.

"We've got to do a better job of keeping our poise. That starts with me," Flores said after the game. "I've got to do a better job of keeping my poise. I'm going to stick up for my players. They are going to stick up for each other without getting penalties, without hurting the team.

"These are like my kids. First time, yeah. Second time, I got a little upset about it. I've got to do a better job. I have to. I can't hurt the team. My emotions got the best of me there. But again, you see somebody you care about get hit like that twice."

Several Dolphins players addressed what Flores's support for Grant and the team meant to them.

"It's good to see that because you know he has our back and we're a family," defensive tackle Christian Wilkins said.