Early look at the Detroit Lions 2017 opponents: Cincinnati Bengals
By Ash Thompson
Edge Defenders
The Bengals have a solid defensive end group with Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson as their starters. Dunlap is one of the League’s better three down defensive ends but has failed to put up the gaudy sack numbers most believe him capable of recently. PArt of the problem last season was that the Bengals did not have anyone opposite him to take the pressure off.
Johnson was nursing a back injury and limited. when they are healthy the duo is formidable on three downs. In order to remedy the depth issue, the Bengals drafted Kansas State defensive end Jordan Willis who was the Big-12 defensive player of the year in 2016. The team has also said that their fourth round pick Carl Lawson will see some action on third down as a situational pass rusher.
Interior Defensive Line
Geno Atkins is a top five defensive tackle in the league. Whether the Lions are running or passing Atkins can single handedly end a play. On every snap, they need to double or even triple team him. Andrew Billings is in his second season technically, but the 2016 fourth round pick missed his entire rookie year with a knee injury. Immediately starting is a big ask. The Bengals have brought in PAt Sims as insurance. His steady but unspectacular pay sets the basement for their defensive line pretty high.
Linebacker
Vontaze Burfict is by far the most interesting player on the Bengals defense. Even before he was drafted Burfict was a divisive figure. Some see a passionate firebrand and team spark plug. Those are usually his teammates. Others see a sociopathic mad man perfectly willing to intentionally injure another player to win a game. Those are usually his opponents. This week the lines blurred when Burfict dove at Gio Bernard’s surgically repaired knee in practice. Several offensive players needed to be restrained from doing terrible things to Burfict. Opponents can only hope the dissension continues into the season.
The team lost Rey Maualuga but signed Kevin Minter. Minter will man the middle of the Bengals defense for three downs, rather than the platoon they had been using recently. He and Burfict make a formidable duo. Rookie Carl Lawson and second-year man Nick Vigil will fight for snaps at strong side linebacker, and Lawson should eventually take the job if his body holds up. Lawson was a consensus second round talent who slid to the fourth due to a knee injury. Lawson’s versatility will eventually land him a role on the field.