Matt’s Take: Where would the Cincinnati Bengals be without Dexter Lawrence?

By Matthew McAdow
HCP columnist

Where would Cincinnati be without Dexter Lawrence right now? I’d hate to know, but I’d guess it would be close to a record of what they started out as the last three seasons. 

Without him, they likely lose this Titans game and multiple other games. He ended the Titans game with 7 total tackles, a fumble recovery, an assisted safety, a game-saving sack, and multiple clutch plays. He is worth that pick and every single penny to give this team a chance in 2026-27. Don’t let this discredit the additions of Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen, however. They have been important to the success up front as well.  

Bengals beat the Titans – Moving on

A win is a win in the NFL and at the end of the season, it doesn’t matter how Cincinnati played in this game – it is a “W” in the column. Don’t get me wrong, it was an embarrassing performance in some respects, but an embarrassing win is better than a fantastic loss. Moving on!

With Cincinnati set to play the Falcons in Madrid this Sunday at 9:30 a.m., a victory could make the following week quite the Sunday Night Football experience. Cincinnati sits at 5-2, trailing the Steelers who are at 6-2 and entering a bye week. The Falcons game presents many challenges for this banged up defense, but if Cincinnati can pull out another victory, the AFC North show down will be one for the ages in the jungle. I just ordered my tickets, as I am certainly not missing this one in Cincinnati.  

Injury bug

DJ Turner is day-to-day with a heel injury – Cincinnati needs him with London and Pitts upcoming.  

Cashius Howell is likely out for the season with a wrist injury that he had surgery on. Call 1-800-NeedADefensiveEndNow.

Cedric Johnson is day-to-day with an ankle injury.

With multiple key injuries looming, I expect some roster movement before Cincinnati heads to Madrid.  

Joe Burrow – MVP 

If Joe Burrow remains healthy and this team makes the playoffs, you can bet on it that he is winning the MVP trophy this season. Even with his mistakes, he racked up 6 total touchdowns on Sunday and 462 yards in the air.  

That’s Madden numbers. He is on pace for a record breaking year. Stay healthy and keep stacking these wins in November.  

Facts and Comments

Tee Higgins is on pace for 104-1762-10, which would make him just the 6th player in the history of football to do so. He’s having that good of a season – historical.  
 
Joe Burrow is ranked first in completion percentage, yards per game, passing touchdowns, and offensive total touchdowns. He has already had his bye week as well.   

Burrow is the first quarterback in history to have three straight games of 70% completion percentage and 4+ touchdowns (yet my father is complaining about #9). 

Since the merger, Burrow is the only quarterback ever with 450+ passing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, and 5+ passing touchdowns. 1 of 1.  

Cincinnati’s Dax Hill and Bryan Cook had two PFF grades below 45. They had atrocious games on Sunday and I am afraid to see what happens without key players that will be out this Sunday against Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London.  

Bengals (5-2) remaining schedule:
Falcons
Steelers
Commanders
Saints
Browns
Chiefs
Panthers
Colts
Ravens
Browns.

Win 6 of these games and Cincinnati will be playing playoff football yet again. I don’t see how this team (barring any injuries) wouldn’t be playing playoff football come the end of this season. Go get a defensive end, a linebacker, a cornerback if possible, and go all-in, as the time with Higgins, Chase, and Burrow all healthy is a rare occurrence. The window is open, don’t let this slip away. Who Dey!