The Bengals may have found another free-agent edge rusher who can change the shape of their defense.
Boye Mafe is already giving Cincinnati the kind of early return it hoped for when it chased another rising pass rusher this offseason. Through two games, he has piled up 12 total pressures, the fourth-most among NFL defenders, and his 85.3 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus ranks 10th among edge rushers. In Sunday’s 20-6 win over the Houston Texans, Mafe was a constant problem for CJ Stroud, finishing with eight QB pressures, the third-most of any player in Week 2 pending Monday Night Football.
That kind of impact is exactly what made the Bengals’ 2021 Trey Hendrickson signing such a steal. Hendrickson arrived as a solid player with upside after four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, then exploded into a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate. His rise helped fuel back-to-back AFC Championship Game runs and a trip to Super Bowl LVI.
Cincinnati went looking for a similar spark with Mafe, another edge rusher whose best football seemed close but not fully here yet. The Bengals weren’t signing a finished product, just as they hadn’t with Hendrickson. But Mafe is already giving them a strong case that this move can pay off in a big way.
What stands out isn’t only the pressure. Mafe has also been sharp against the run, an area Cincinnati badly needed to upgrade.
His 86.8 run defense grade is fourth among edge rushers and tied for 11th among all NFL defenders. That matters because Hendrickson’s pass rush was elite, but his run defense could be exposed at times, and that played a part in the defense’s issues over the years.
Mafe, at least so far, is showing he can do both jobs.
The next step is turning those pressures into more sacks. Mafe has one so far after finishing with two last season, but the underlying numbers suggest the rush is coming more often. His pressure rate is up to 17.4% through two games, compared with 11.5% on his pass-rushing snaps last season.
His 85.3 PFF grade would also be the best of his five-year career, topping the 75.1 mark he posted in 2024.
And with the Bengals defense allowing just 26 points this season if Tampa Bay’s pick-six in Week 1 is removed, Mafe’s early impact is already being felt.
In Other News...
TJ Slaton Is Giving Bengals A Tough Decision Already
TJ Slaton has wasted little time making himself noticeable on Cincinnatis defensive line, turning in strong showings through the first two games of the season. Even with fewer snaps than he logged a year ago, he has been effective in the middle, giving the Bengals a sturdier presence against the run and helping keep the Texans ground game in check in Week 2.
That kind of start matters because Slaton is already in a contract year after signing a two-year deal in 2025, and the Bengals now have a decision looming if this level of play holds. A strong season could push him toward a sizable extension, while also making him more appealing on the open market if Cincinnati lets the situation play out. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Made This Lopsided Box Score Look Even Better Afterward
C.J. Stroud piled up 353 passing yards in Week 2, but the numbers that mattered most belonged to Cincinnati. The Bengals handled Houston 20-6, leaning on two touchdowns and timely field goals while keeping the Texans out of the end zone altogether. It was the kind of game that looked closer on paper than it felt in real time, especially once Cincinnatis defense started squeezing the Texans offense into a long afternoon.
Houstons problems went well beyond one missed chance or one bad drive. The Texans managed only 18 rushing yards, never found any traction on the ground and took multiple sacks while trying to keep pace. For the Bengals, that made the final score a clean reflection of control, even in a game where Stroud threw the ball well enough to keep the box score busy. For Houston, the 0-2 start comes with the same nagging issue attached: production without finishing. [Read more 🡒]
Zac Taylors Postgame Message Should Fire Up Bengals Fans
The Bengals left Houston with more than a win, they left with a defensive performance that felt like a statement. Cincinnatis 20-6 victory over the Texans marked the lowest point total allowed in Zac Taylors time as head coach, and the pass rush did its part by bringing steady heat throughout the afternoon, with five different defenders finishing with five or more pressures. Taylor praised the team across all phases, and for a group that has spent much of the season trying to find its identity, this was the kind of complete showing that can change the tone around a locker room.
Now the challenge gets a little more interesting. Cincinnati is still sitting atop the AFC North, and a meeting with the Steelers is next, which means this stretch can start to say a lot about how real the Bengals momentum is. The defense has given the team something concrete to build on, and if that same edge travels into another divisional matchup, Taylors postgame optimism may end up sounding less like a response to one good day and more like a preview of what the Bengals think they can become. [Read more 🡒]