The Cincinnati Bengals have a defense? Man, what a feeling! It’s been far too long since I have voiced those words.
In dominating fashion, Cincinnati held the Texans to two field goals. In a game where many experts picked the Texans, Cincinnati went on the road and absolutely dominated the line of scrimmage.
Cincinnati now sits at 2-0 and heads to Pittsburgh to try to take their first divisional victory and improve to 3-0. The AFC North is always a bloodbath, but I expect another dominant performance from this defense, and I hope to see this offense start to click.
That’s the dangerous part about this Bengals team: the offense hasn’t even reached their potential.
POSITIVES
Dexter Lawrence through two weeks is the highest-graded interior defensive lineman in football per PFF. Take that pick, and we have an absolute game changer up front. What a trade.
Cincinnati held David Montgomery and Woody Marks to 18 yards on 14 carries.
Evan McPherson: Enough said.
Ja’Marr Chase had maybe the wildest catch of his career, while reeling in two touchdowns for 75 yards.
Tee Higgins had a quiet 95-yard, five-reception game. He would be a wide receiver one for half of the NFL.
Cincinnati never turned the football over. That alone will put you in position to win many games.
Demetrius Knight, have a game! 12 total tackles, one quarterback hit.
Sacks were recorded by Cedric Johnson (2), and one each from Jonathan Allen and Shemar Stewart.
The Steelers and Ravens both lost.
Cincinnati had 41 pressures Sunday. Over the last six years, per Paul Dehner Jr., their average pressures per game was 12.6.
The Bengals, through two weeks, are tied for first in the NFL with eight sacks, tied for third in the NFL with 4 turnovers forced and continue to carry this team.
Amarius Mims is a Pro Bowler.
NEGATIVES
Cincinnati had eight punts, had the worst success rate of all teams last week, was nearly dead last in yards per drive, was 5-for-15 on third down, and still won by 14.
Twelve penalties for 78 yards is simply unacceptable.
The offense has to start clicking soon. While the defense has been fantastic, the offense will soon have to step up for this team to be a true contender.
Orlando Brown Jr. looks really bad. He was beaten numerous times, and I am nervous to watch him try to hold his own against JJ Watt and Nick Herbig next week.
As Steelers week approaches, I would be ecstatic to see this team improve to 3-0 and silence Acrisure Stadium. I think they will do just that and, for the first time in years, I think the Steelers are the worst team in the division. Yes, worse than the Cleveland Browns.