Dexter Lawrence II didn’t need a gaudy box score to make his presence felt in the Bengals’ Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The kind of damage he did was quieter, and maybe more dangerous: the attention he drew. Per PFF, Lawrence was double-teamed on 80% of his snaps, and that workload helped clear space for the players around him.
That ripple effect showed up fast. His teammates got to Baker Mayfield four times and were part of four fumbles forced and recovered. Lawrence’s value, as the game showed, goes well beyond what shows up in the numbers.
Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio made sure to give Lawrence his flowers ahead of Sunday’s matchup, and he reached for a strong comparison in the process. Caserio likened him to former Patriots All-Pro Vince Wilfork.
“I think the Vince (Wilfork) 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.”
Caserio’s comparison carries weight. Like Lawrence, Wilfork wasn’t always a stat-sheet star, but he changed games every time he was on the field. Caserio had a front-row view of that kind of impact during Wilfork’s 2015 and 2016 seasons in Houston.
Now the Bengals are hoping Lawrence brings that same kind of disruption again when they face the Texans on the road. If he does, Cincinnati’s defense could make life very uncomfortable for C.J. Stroud.
In Other News...
Bengals Make A QB Insurance Move With Joe Burrow Uncertain
With Joe Burrow dealing with back tightness, the Bengals added a little insurance before facing the Texans by elevating quarterback Josh Johnson and linebacker Joe Giles-Harris from the practice squad to the active roster. The move gives Cincinnati an extra layer of protection at the sports most important position while also adding depth on defense for a game that could turn on how cleanly the offense operates up front.
Zac Taylor said Burrow is questionable but expected to play, and the team is focused on making sure he can go after the Houston game plan aggressively if hes cleared. Cincinnati has also been encouraged by the way its offensive line has protected in recent practices, a small but meaningful sign as the Bengals try to keep their quarterback upright and avoid any late-week surprises. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Suddenly Have A D-Line Question Fans Did Not Expect
The Bengals entered the season expecting the defensive line to be one of the places where recent draft investment would finally start to pay off, and for a moment it looked like Kris Jenkins and Myles Murphy might help change that conversation. Jenkins flashed in Week 1 despite limited snaps, while Murphy turned in a more noticeable outing with a handful of impactful plays, including a forced fumble, giving Cincinnati at least a small reason to think the group could take a step forward.
Still, the broader picture remains unsettled because the Bengals have also brought in new defensive linemen this offseason, a sign the front office is retooling the room even as it waits on its young talent. For a team that needs more consistent pressure up front, the question is no longer just whether Jenkins and Murphy can build on those early moments, but how quickly they can do it before the rest of the depth chart starts shifting around them. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Face A Few Matchups That Could Decide Houston Trip
Cincinnati heads to Houston with a handful of pressure points that could shape the afternoon, and the most obvious one starts on the outside. Ja'Marr Chase against Derek Stingley is the kind of receiver-cornerback matchup that can tilt game plans, while rookie tackle Amarius Mims drawing Will Anderson Jr. puts the spotlight on whether the Bengals can keep Joe Burrow comfortable when the Texans bring heat.
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 🡒]