Cincinnati Bengals: Winning without Vontaze Burfict

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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 24: Carlos Dunlap #96 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates against the Detroit Lions during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

A Superior Defensive Line

There is no area on this entire team which was stronger at the end of last season than the defensive line. Though it wouldn’t hold up for the entire season, at certain points in 2017 the group up front was garnering pressure at a ridiculous rate.

This year, an already strong foundation has somehow become even deeper and more talented. Star interior defender Geno Atkins was likely the most impactful defensive tackle not named Aaron Donald last season, and with a new contract extension in hand he’s already off to another ridiculous start to the year.

In 120 snaps during the 2-0 start, Atkins already has nine tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss, seven QB hits and an 88.0 Pro Football Focus (subscription required) grade. Carlos Dunlap (also recently extended) has been his usual self, already batting down four passes to go with a sack and two QB hits.

Those two have always been great, though. It is the play beyond them in the rotation which is making a difference. Including the two superstars, there are eight defensive linemen who have had at least 50 snaps through two games this season.

2018 third-round pick Sam Hubbard got his first career sack (along with a QB hit and two tackles for loss) against Baltimore. Second-year players Jordan Willis and Carl Lawson have made an impact of their own from the edge. Willis has two QB hits and one pass knockdown while Lawson has notched two QB hits of his own.

Long-time starting defensive end Michael Johnson went out early against Baltimore with an injury, but he had a QB hit against Indianapolis in Week 1. Ryan Glasgow has stepped up big on the interior with seven tackles, one tackle for loss and one QB hit. Andrew Billings doesn’t have anything to show stat-wise, but he has eaten up space on the interior to help the cause.

All together, this group has racked up some impressive totals through two games: six sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, five pass knockdowns, and 17 QB hits.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.

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