The Cincinnati Bengals are currently on a nine-game win streak. The offense is rolling, and the defense, despite barely coming away with a victory against the Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card round, still got the job done. Throughout the season their defense is allowing 227 points per game (23rd), but they also have an impressive 50% scoring percentage in the red zone; and over their last three games, opponents are only scoring 33.3% of the time.
The Bengals defensive line gets to the quarterback quickly, and their defensive backs disrupt at the catch point. They allow the least number of seconds per play in the league, 27.5, and they lead the league in opponent incompletions per game, with 14.2; per teamrankings.
The defense as a whole is closing out games.
Jessie Bates III’s interception against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14, Vonn Bell’s forced fumble against the New England Patriots in Week 16 and then Sam Hubbard’s fumble recovery and 98-yard touchdown win in the wild-card game. Just three examples of the defense stepping up.
The Bengals are sitting at a +6 turnover differential. That is what keeps them in games and makes them an extension of their offense. With Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase on the offensive side of the ball, the defense tends to get overshadowed, but in the end, we all know that defense wins games, and that defense has won games for the Bengals.
Now, it’s on to Buffalo for the divisional round. Let’s see how this defense might be able to upset Josh Allen and his friends.