What happened: Pro Football Focus highlighted defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence as the primary driver of the Cincinnati Bengals' early-season success. Analyst Cris Collinsworth noted the interior lineman has completely changed the unit's identity.
Why it matters: The offseason addition has allowed Cincinnati to field a revamped defense that consistently disrupts opposing backfields without blitzing. The scheme has already generated seven unblocked pressures in the 2026 season.
By the numbers: The Bengals lead the NFL in four-man rush rate, while the unit's interior grade paced the league following a strong defensive stand against the Houston Texans.
What to watch: Cincinnati looks to maintain its interior dominance as the regular season progresses.