The Cincinnati Bengals dropped to 2-2 after a frustrating loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. While players like Jordan Battle continue to struggle on defense, the new additions to that defensive line played really well once again.
The trio of Boye Mafe, Dexter Lawrence, and Jonathan Allen combined for 12 pressures during the game on Sunday. Mafe and Lawrence each recorded a sack during the game.
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Jonathan Allen led the defense in pressures, recording five on Sunday. He was also the highest-graded player on the defense that game with an 80.7 overall grade. He finished with an 82.7 pass rush grade.
While he was the only one of the trio of guys to not record a sack this week, he was an impact player all game long, rushing the passer. His pressure was part of the reason his teammates were able to come away with sacks during the game as well. He had notable pressure when Mafe and Murphy both had their sacks on Sunday.
It wasn’t just his pass-rushing ability that impressed this week either; it was what he was able to do against the run. While he finished with just three tackles, his presence was felt along that defensive line. He and Dexter Lawrence have quickly established a chemistry playing beside one another.
Speaking of Dexter Lawrence, he was his usual dominant self again this week. Lawrence finished the game with three pressures, three tackles, and a sack during the game. It isn’t just the numbers on the stat sheet either, as Dexter is constantly freeing up the linebackers to make plays against the run. He also does a dang good job of making plays against the run himself.
Dexter is such a handful for teams to deal with. Oftentimes they will have a handful of jersey when trying to block him. His power just tossed Robert Hainsey out of the club on one play, with Hainsey having no choice but to get an obvious holding penalty to protect his quarterback. That play ended up helping lead to the Jaguars only coming away with a field goal, after initially having 1st and 10 inside of the five-yard line.
Not only is Dexter Lawrence a sheer force of nature with his power, but he also is giving a ton of effort out there for a guy that is 350 pounds. Lawrence was able to get his sack by chasing down Trevor Lawrence from behind. That type of effort goes a long ways in setting the tone for your teammates on that defensive line.
Boye Mafe was highly impressive rushing the passer again this week for Cincinnati. He finished the game with four pressures and a sack. He started the game off with a bang by getting to Trevor Lawrence and knocking the ball up in the air. Myles Murphy was close to intercepting the ball.
Mafe had another pressure during the game that led directly to a Kris Jenkins Jr. sack. Mafe beat talented left tackle Anton Harrison around the edge and was almost able to come up with a strip sack on the play.
Mafe was buzzing around during the final possession for the defense when they absolutely had to have a stop. He set the tone for getting one by combining with Jordan Battle for a tackle behind the line of scrimmage to start the possession.
On a day with a frustrating loss, it is still very apparent just how much this defensive line has improved. If they can fix some of the issues in the secondary during the season, this defense should have a chance to finish the year in a much better place than they did last season. If they do, it will be because of guys like Lawrence, Mafe, and Allen getting the job done all season long up front.
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