With veterans Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins still performing at a high level and 2017 rookie sensation Carl Lawson returning for his sophomore campaign, fans and analysts alike were excited to see the Bengals’ pass rush coming into this season.
Unfortunately the group has underperformed, despite projections to be one of the top defensive lines in the NFL.
According to ESPN’s NFL Matchup, the Bengals have the second lowest pressure rate in the NFL, pressuring opposing quarterbacks on only 23 percent of drop backs.
These DEFENSES are giving QBs nightmares... #LARams #DUUUVAL #GoPats #HereWeGo #BeRedSeeRed #GoPackGo #Seahawks #DallasCowboys #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/DDtAYUk6Hf
— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) October 23, 2018
Atkins leads the team with 37 total pressures. Despite only playing 44% of defensive snaps, Lawson is second on the team with 25, and Dunlap is just behind him with 24. After that there is a huge drop off. The top takeaway here is that Lawson needs to be on the field more often.
Shockingly, the Bengals’ offense is ranked 10th in the league for the least pressures allowed. You read that correctly, 10th LEAST.
Most important asset on your team: the QB.
— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) October 23, 2018
Pretty important to PROTECT that asset...#OnePride #RavensFlock #LARams #HereWeGo #KeepPounding #GoSaints #Colts #GoPats #Texans #Seahawks #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/BA3qIY3J99
Alex Redmond has allowed the most pressures . (by far) with 32, but everyone else’s numbers are relatively low. This may be due to the new offensive system or new offensive line coach Frank Pollack. The new additions on the offensive line have not been great. Cordy Glenn has allowed the second most pressures at 21 and Bobby Hart comes in third with 15 pressures allowed.
Billy Price at the very least was solid in pass protection before he hurt his foot, so getting him back should shore up the pass protection even more. He’s expected back for the Bengals’ Week 10 game against the Saints.
Pressure is production, but sacks are the end goal. Andy Dalton is the 10th least sacked quarterback in terms of sack percentage, but the Bengals are sacking opposing quarterbacks at the sixth-lowest rate in the league heading into Week 8. If the Bengals can finish their pressures, the defense could see a bump in overall efficiency.