5 toughest defenses on Bengals schedule in 2022

4. Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys returned a defense ranked seventh last season and managed to keep their much sought-after defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. This defense will be well-coached and a tough challenge for the Bengal’s first away game in Week 2.

Last season, gifted linebacker Micah Parsons was crowned as the Defensive Rookie of the Year and will be a force for the core of the Cowboys’ defense. Parsons had 84 tackles and 13 sacks last season, so Burrow will have to be aware of where Parsons is on the field at all times.

Bengals left tackle Jonah Williams will have his hands full when he matches up with Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. Injury-plagued most of last year, Lawrence may not be in complete form by Week 2. Lawrence could have some help with the Cowboys’ second-round pick Sam Williams out of Ole Miss. Add Carlos Watkins, Nevel Gallimore, and Dante Fowler Jr., and that makes for an unyielding defense.

Bengals’ new free agent right tackle La’el Collins is excited about playing his former team. Dave Lapham, on his podcast, recently asked Collins how he felt about going home to play Dallas.

"“So for me, man, you know, I can’t even explain what it is going to be like. I can’t even explain it because, you know, I practiced against those guys every day for the last whatever years, you know, and so for me, man, I can’t wait, that is all I can tell you, I can’t wait”."

The biggest match-up of the game will be Bengals receiver Rookie of the Year Ja’Marr Chase going up against cornerback Trevon Diggs, who led the league with 11 interceptions. These two elite athletes going head to head will feel more like a heavyweight fight.