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Bengals aim to maintain strong defensive line play against Texans

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 18, 2026, 12:30 AM

Last updated Sep 18, 2026

Bengals aim to maintain strong defensive line play against Texans

Summary

The Cincinnati Bengals visit the Houston Texans on Sunday following a successful opener against Tampa Bay. In that game, the Bengals showcased their defensive line depth, which was a focus during the offseason. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence contributed significantly despite not recording stats, impacting gameplay with pressure. Free agents Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen made immediate contributions with sacks. The defensive performance set a promising tone for the season, with players expressing confidence in their potential.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Bengals won their season opener against Tampa Bay.
•Dexter Lawrence's presence was key in defensive plays.
•Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen each had a sack in their debuts.
•Cincinnati's defensive depth was tested effectively in Week 1.
•The Bengals aim to continue strong defensive performance against Houston.

Latest Updates

12:30 AMYahoo Sports — Bengals hope strong defensive line play from opener continues at Houston

What they're saying

"
At the start of the offseason, when Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor and director of player personnel Duke Tobin discussed their vision to rebuild the team’s defense, they harped on the importance of building a deep defensive line. After heavily investing in pass rush during the offseason, that depth was on display in Week 1 as the Bengals beat Tampa Bay. The pass rush worked so well that the Bengals ended up scaling back their blitz plan for the game.
— Yahoo Sportsby CHARLIE GOLDSMITH

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Cincinnati Bengals NFL Football