The Cincinnati Bengals' defense remains such a big talking point for this team. The offense, as we know, is one of the best in the NFL, and if the defense can just be average, the Bengals could easily make a Super Bowl run.
Against the Baltimore Ravens, the defense showed their strength. In the second half, they pitched a shutout, and throughout the game, they recorded four sacks, intercepted Tyler Huntley, and held Derrick Henry to just 2.6 yards per carry.
One of the biggest plays of the game was when the Ravens were fourth and two, inside the 30, behind by one point, and decided to go for it on fourth down, when a field goal would've given them the lead. Instead, it was an incomplete pass, and a turnover on downs.
That was just one instance where the Bengals' defense was able to stop the Ravens on fourth down. It says something when an offense with Derrick Henry can't convert fourth-and-short, and it's not an issue with the Ravens; the Bengals deserve a lot of credit.
Going for it on fourth against the Bengals...forget about it
Joe Goodberry on X pointed out just how good Al Golden's defense has been against fourth down attempts this season. Opposing offenses are one for seven on fourth down attempts this season.
Opposing offenses are a combined 1 for 7 on Fourth Down attempts against the Bengals this season.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) October 25, 2026
The real stars of the show here are Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen, who have been stuffing inside runs all year long. When teams get to a fourth and two, or a fourth and one, and they have faith in their offensive line, going for it is a good call. However, you can't run inside against this Bengals front, as any running back will just get swallowed up by Lawrence and Allen.
You would imagine that teams will clock onto the fact that the Bengals' defense has a real strength on fourth down eventually, but I just hope they don't. This could become a really powerful weapon in those one-score games late in the season, both in the tight AFC North matchups and in the postseason, as a failed fourth-down conversion is a game-changing play.
We saw that the failed conversion against the Ravens halted any momentum that Baltimore still had, and then gave Joe Burrow and the offense the chance to score a touchdown, which extended the lead to eight points; it was a real catalyst, and could be something that we talk about more and more come the end of the season.
This is short-yardage rushing defense.
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) October 27, 2026
... aka a Dexter Lawrence tweet. pic.twitter.com/XDAbVBIcDy
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