What happened: Manti credited Cincinnati with a total reversal on defense through two weeks. The Bengals carry that form into Week 3 of the 2026 regular season.
Why it matters: Cincinnati stalled with Burrow and the starters in August, making early defensive improvement central to its start. Pairing that unit with an emerging run game and star receivers has pushed the team into the contender tier.
By the numbers: Four-man rush rate ranks first in the NFL through two weeks. Interior grade ranked first in the league after the Texans stand.
What to watch: Week 3 tests whether Cincinnati sustains that pressure without extra blitzing.