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Bengals Film Room: Dexter Lawrence shines in a forgettable day for the defense
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- Bengals Film Room: Dexter Lawrence shines in a forgettable day for the defense
The Cincinnati Bengals had to force overtime in order to defeat the Tennessee Titans this past week. There were plenty of bad performances on both sides of the ball, including the Titans scoring 36 points on the day. That shouldn't take away from just how dominant Dexter Lawrence was again.
Lawrence finished with 5 run stops on the day, the most on the team. He was a force against the run all game long. One specific play in the first half, he was able to bring the ball carrier down by just using one arm.
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As with most plays, he certainly had an argument for a holding call here, but it didn't even matter ultimately.
Dexter was credited with just 2 pressures on the day, which was his lowest mark of the season. However, one of those pressures led to the sack that ultimately forced overtime. If he doesn't make that play, the Titans were getting close to field goal range for their kicker. Lawrence consistently faced double teams, as he does on a weekly basis.
When they try to block him with one guy, it is almost guaranteed to end up with the lineman being pushed back into their own quarterback.
Demetrius Knight Jr. was credited with the safety the Bengals forced during the second half, as he should have been, but Dexter Lawrence was also right there to help make the play if he didn't. In a game that went to overtime, every play mattered. Dexter Lawrence was certainly in his share of pivotal plays all game long.
At one point during the game, it seemed like we were even going to see a big man touchdown from Lawrence. After a strip sack by Boye Mafe, Lawrence recovered the fumble. He was tripped up after the recovery, but man, it is always a sight to behold when a big man gets rumbling up the field.
Lawrence finished the game on Sunday with 2 pressures, a sack, the fumble recovery, 5 run stops, and 7 total tackles. He has been well worth the 10th overall draft pick that the Bengals gave up to acquire him via trade this season. I think he deserves to be in the conversation for the Defensive Player of the Year. While you always hate to give up 36 points in general, that is a game the Bengals would have lost the last few years.
Dexter Lawrence making critical plays in critical moments was one of the differences compared to previous years.
