Dexter Lawrence leads Bengals' defense to 2-0 start

The Cincinnati Bengals have started the season 2-0 following a 20-6 victory over the Houston Texans, driven largely by a revamped defense led by defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Lawrence, acquired via a franchise-record trade involving a first-round pick, has emerged as a dominant force. Through two games, he has earned a 91.5 PFF defensive grade and has been credited with significantly impacting both the run and pass game.

In the win against Houston, the Bengals' defense held the Texans to just 60 rushing yards and prevented them from scoring touchdowns despite 55 pass attempts by quarterback C.J. Stroud. Lawrence noted that holding an opponent to no touchdowns serves as a “pretty good statement” for the team's momentum. Former NFL coach Rex Ryan praised the acquisition, calling Lawrence “the best defensive tackle in football” and a game-changer who has brought new confidence to the unit.