With the Miami Dolphins off to a slow start, opposing teams are looking at the team as a chance for an easy win. The Cincinnati Bengals, for one, were able to get off their two-game losing streak, with a lot of help from a safety who figured out new Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis.
Bengals defender Jordan Battle revealed during the week that the defense could recognize when Willis was going to throw the ball based on a “tell” that the quarterback had. Then, Battle backed up his words with a big day on defense, as he was responsible for two of the Bengals three forced turnovers.
While some believed Battle was wrong to reveal his information to the media, it didn’t matter much as the Bengals defense had a great day in Miami. Here’s how Battle used his information on Willis to produce a big day on the field.
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Jordan Battle revealed Malik Willis tell
During the week, Bengals safety Jordan Battle told the media that Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis had a “tell” that would help the defense.
“He has a little slight little tap before every throw though, so I feel like we could use that as a key to break on the ball,” Battle said. “He likes to tap the ball before he throws it, or he takes his hand off, and that that gives the read the break.”
Jordan Battle on Malik Willis: “He has a little slight little tap before every throw though, so I feel like we could use that as a key to break on the ball. He likes to tap the ball before he throws it, or he takes his hand off, and that that gives the read the break. He’s obviously dangerous with his feet. We know we got to be alert for that. Third and longs, they will run quarterback draws, and in the passing game, he will extend plays. So we got to be good downfield. DBs are plastering, so we got to be alert for that. He will take chances. We just got to be on, be alert on guys where they line up.”
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) October 8, 2026
Some criticized Battle for revealing this information publicly instead of keeping it to himself, as it could have allowed Willis to try and fix the issue. However, that didn’t end up mattering as Battle had a big day on defense.
Jordan Battle interceptions
Battle had a big day for the Bengals’ defense, producing two turnovers on Malik Willis. First, Battle took advantage when a Willis pass was tipped, catching an interception early in the second quarter with Cincinnati already up 14-7.
Jordan Battle intercepts Malik Willis @CINvsMIA on FOX/FOX One Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/NJtzbBJ7vE
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026
Then, just five minutes later, Battle once again picked off Willis, this time when Willis tried to complete a pass on the run with a throw across his body.
Jordan Battle intercepts Malik Willis @CINvsMIA on FOX/FOX One Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/NJtzbBJ7vE
— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2026
Battle now has three interceptions on the season and nine for his career, as the safety has made a knack out of forcing turnovers. He now is tied for the most interceptions in the league thus far in the young NFL season.
