“A complete team built for the long haul”: NFL analyst believes Burrow and the Bengals are a major threat
Cincinnati is legitimate on both sides of the ball, winning with big plays offensively and stifling opposing offenses
t he Cincinnati Bengals have been defined by Joe Burrow's right arm and the explosive playmaking ability of Ja'Marr Chase. That formula has taken Cincinnati deep into the postseason before, but it has also left lingering questions about whether the Bengals could consistently match the AFC's elite teams on the defensive side of the ball.
Two weeks into the 2026 season, those concerns are beginning to fade. In his weekly league-wide takeaways following Sunday's games, NFL.com Around The NFL writer Nick Shook identified Cincinnati as one of the biggest early risers in the AFC after the Bengals' 20-6 road victory over the Houston Texans.
"It's understandable if you didn't buy into what Cincinnati's defense was serving in Week 1 ," Shook wrote. "Sunday's performance in Houston, however, was undeniable. Dexter Lawrence has transformed this Bengals front, and everyone is benefitting. Cincy is legitimate on both sides of the ball, winning with big plays offensively and consistently stifling opposing offenses. It's only two weeks, but I see a complete team built for the long haul."
The defense is becoming a difference-maker
The most significant development for Cincinnati may be happening away from the spotlight. The Bengals entered the season believing the acquisition of Dexter Lawrence II could elevate their defense from solid to dominant. Through two games , the three-time Pro Bowler appears to be doing exactly that.
His impact showed up in a pivotal second-quarter sequence against Houston . With the Texans facing fourth-and-inches at Cincinnati's 18-yard line, Lawrence exploded through the offensive line and dropped David Montgomery for a loss, ending a promising Houston drive without points. It was the type of game-changing play the Bengals envisioned when they added one of the NFL's most disruptive interior defenders.
The ripple effect has been noticeable throughout the defense. Opponents must account for Chase's game-breaking ability, Higgins' reliability and Burrow's ability to distribute the ball efficiently.
Built to win in multiple ways
Perhaps the strongest argument for Cincinnati's championship potential is that Sunday's victory did not require an offensive explosion. The Bengals scored 20 points, controlled field position and relied heavily on defense. That may not sound remarkable, but it represents meaningful growth for a team that has often been viewed primarily through the lens of its offense.
Championship contenders rarely win the same way every week. Some games require a quarterback to throw for 350 yards. Others demand defensive stops, situational football and patience. Against Houston, the Bengals showed they can thrive in the latter environment.
Burrow remains one of the NFL's best quarterbacks. Chase remains one of the league's most dangerous playmakers. But the story of Cincinnati's 2-0 start is that those stars are no longer carrying the entire operation. The defense is making life difficult for opponents. The pass rush is generating pressure.
The secondary is creating disruptions. The front seven is controlling the line of scrimmage. Two weeks is far too early to crown any team a Super Bowl favorite. But as the Bengals prepare for their first AFC North showdown against Pittsburgh, they have already shown something every contender hopes to possess.
