The Cincinnati Bengals have opened the season with a defense that’s doing more than holding its own - it’s driving the whole operation.
At 2-0, Cincinnati has already stacked up a road win over Houston and did it by keeping the Texans out of the end zone in a 20-6 result last week. That kind of performance has changed the early-season conversation fast, especially with Joe Burrow’s offense not carrying the load the way plenty of people expected after two games.
Now the Bengals head back on the road, this time into a familiar AFC North setting against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, with a chance to move to 3-0.
Pittsburgh hasn’t found much rhythm yet. The Steelers are 1-1 after a loss to the New England Patriots last week and a Week 1 win over a Falcons team described as lackluster.
More concerning for Pittsburgh is the state of the offense. Through two games, it has not generated much momentum, and Aaron Rodgers has gotten off to one of the roughest starts of his NFL seasons.
Rodgers has thrown for 408 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His completion rate is under 60%, and he’s already been sacked six times. Facing a defense that’s hot right now is hardly the kind of matchup the Steelers wanted next.
Rodgers, though, knows exactly where some of the trouble is coming from.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, he spoke to Black and Gold Nation and singled out Dexter Lawrence, who was a problem for the Texans last week and has been one of the highest-graded defensive players in the league through two weeks. Rodgers didn’t hold back in his assessment:
"He’s [Lawrence] an All-Pro player. He’s a load inside, but he’s not a slug in there; he can really move.
He’s a good pass rusher. He’s got good moves and good lateral quickness.
He moves as well as anybody in the league at his size, so he’s going to be a focal point for every team that plays against him."
That’s a strong endorsement, and it comes with a clear warning label for Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ offensive line has already had a rough opening stretch, giving up four sacks to New England last week, and now it has to deal with a Bengals front that is tied for the most sacks in the NFL through two weeks.
Rodgers has made it clear he respects Lawrence as both a player and a pro. But respect doesn’t make the assignment any easier, and with Cincinnati’s front already humming, Sunday looks like another long afternoon for the Steelers.
In Other News...
Bengals May Already Have An Answer To Their Joe Burrow Problem
The Bengals are off to a 2-0 start, and Joe Burrow has been a major reason why the offense has looked so sharp out of the gate. Even with the quarterback doing his part, the bigger picture still points to the same old concern in Cincinnati: keeping him clean long enough for the attack to stay on schedule. The offensive line has held up well so far, which has helped ease some of that burden, but the team has also been looking for ways to make Burrows life a little less hectic on obvious passing downs.
One possible answer is already on the roster in Samaje Perine, whose value goes beyond what he does with the ball in his hands. His reputation as a reliable pass blocker makes him a useful option when the Bengals want to give Burrow extra support against pressure, especially in situations where protection matters most. If Cincinnati leans on him more in those spots, it could be a simple way to protect its quarterback without changing the shape of the offense too much. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Nearly Made A Rival AFC North Choice On Defense
When the Bengals went looking for a new defensive coordinator after firing their former one, they did not limit themselves to familiar names inside the building. Zac Taylor brought in Patrick Graham for an interview, a reminder that Cincinnati was weighing a coach with broad NFL experience and a rsum that stretches from the Patriots to the Giants and Raiders before the team ultimately chose Al Golden.
Graham now runs the Steelers defense, which only adds another layer to the AFC North backdrop around the decision. He also brings connections to players such as Maxx Crosby and Dexter Lawrence, and his current job in Pittsburgh gives the Bengals another face to track in a division where coaching moves can matter just as much as personnel ones. The interview itself did not change Cincinnatis hire, but it shows how close the team came to taking a different defensive path inside its biggest rivalry. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Already Look Right About Their Biggest Defensive Gamble
When the Bengals let Trey Hendrickson walk and brought in Boye Mafe on a three-year deal, it was one of the biggest defensive calls of their offseason. Cincinnati wanted a different kind of edge presence, one that could help replace Hendricksons production while also fitting the price tag, and early returns have been hard to miss.
Through two games, Mafe has already flashed the disruptive traits the Bengals were betting on, with a sack, a forced fumble and the most quarterback hurries in the league. Hendrickson has had his moments in Baltimore, but Cincinnati has to feel better about the way its new pass rusher is setting the tone, especially with the contract coming in below what Hendrickson landed with the Ravens. [Read more 🡒]