Revamped Bengals defense powers strong start to 2026 season

Unit leads NFL in four-man rush rate through two weeks.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 241 min read

CIN

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The new-look Bengals defense is going crazy to start 2026 🔥 https://t.co/SeR4c6G25H

What happened: The Cincinnati Bengals have opened the 2026 NFL season with a dominant defensive front. The unit was overhauled via offseason trades and has immediately produced high-level disruption.

Why it matters: The early returns elevate the team's standing in the AFC by solving a major structural issue. The revamped group allows the scheme to rely heavily on its down linemen rather than forced blitzes.

By the numbers: Cincinnati leads the NFL in four-man rush rate through the first two weeks, creating seven unblocked pressures in that span. The interior group previously paced the league in grading after a standout performance against Houston.

What to watch: The defense will attempt to sustain this consistent pressure rate as the regular-season schedule intensifies.

Sources

@nflnetwork Sep 24, 12:31 AM ET

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Revamped Bengals defense powers strong start to 2026 season

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