Dexter Lawrence didn’t need a monster stat line to leave his mark in Week 1, and that’s exactly why the Bengals believe they’ve got something special on their hands.
After Cincinnati landed the defensive tackle in a blockbuster trade with the New York Giants ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, Lawrence went right to work in the Bengals’ win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The numbers weren’t flashy, but the disruption was obvious. He drew constant double teams, kept pressure coming and helped create room for teammates to make plays.
That kind of impact is exactly what Cincinnati will be leaning on again when it faces the Houston Texans in Week 2.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio knows the challenge Lawrence presents. Asked about the Bengals lineman ahead of the matchup, Caserio drew a strong comparison to former defensive standout Vince Wilfork.
"I think the Vince comparison is probably pretty apt, just their athleticism. He’s a massive problem.
When he’s going vertically it’s hard to contain him," Caserio said. "He’s been double teamed more than any defensive tackle in the league.
He presents a lot of problems. He has a very unique playing style.
He and Vince have some similar attributes. Those are two rare players with that kind of size to move the way they do.”
Wilfork was never defined by box-score production, and Caserio’s comparison fits that mold. The value was always bigger than the stats, and the ability to anchor a defense mattered just as much as the numbers.
For the Bengals, Lawrence is being asked to be that kind of force. His presence in the middle gives the defense a different edge, and after a Week 1 showing that suggested real improvement, Cincinnati needs that momentum to keep building.
Myles Murphy said Lawrence’s value shows up long before the final numbers do.
“Honestly, stats don’t mean too much because he wrecks the game as soon the week starts and offensive coordinators have to prepare for the week," Myles Murphy said when asked about Lawrence's impact. "Just having him in the middle, being a stump in the middle, creating a push - that’s not a stat line, but he’s creating a push all game. That’s exactly what we were looking for.”
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Bengals Face A Few Matchups That Could Decide Houston Trip
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The other battles matter just as much for a team trying to navigate a tough road trip. Houstons running backs testing the Bengals linebackers could determine whether the Texans stay on schedule, and the interior line work in front of Cincinnati figures to be a major factor as well. With C.J. Stroud directing the offense, these are the spots where the game may be decided long before the final possession arrives. [Read more 🡒]