The optimism is sky-high for the Cincinnati Bengals this season. After several years of subpar defensive play and a weak O-line failing to protect Joe Burrow, this year feels different. Specifically, the defense looks completely different, and is expected to take a massive leap.
Of course, the big talking point is Dexter Lawrence, who has pushed the interior of the defensive line from average to elite, with Jonathan Allen alongside him.
This line should not only be able to stuff the run more frequently, but also get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. And that's bad news for the Ravens, after they let Tyler Linderbaum walk in free agency and replaced the man snapping Lamar Jackson the ball with someone far less proven.
The Ravens are the Bengals' biggest challengers for the AFC North
Looking at the state of the North this season, it looks likely to be a two-horse race between the Bengals and the Ravens. Baltimore has Super Bowl aspirations this year too, and it'll be interesting to see how they look without John Harbaugh at the helm.
However, looking at the other side of the ball from Lawrence, the Ravens may be at a significant disadvantage compared with Cincinnati this season. Their big loss in the offseason was center Tyler Linderbaum, who joined the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Linderbaum has been one of the best interior linemen since he came into the league in 2022, and the Ravens are now without him.
Dexter Lawrence could cause problems for Lamar Jackson this season
With Linderbaum gone, Lawrence could be in line to cause Lamar Jackson a lot of issues in their two meetings this season, especially considering that the Ravens haven't really gone out and replaced Linderbaum at center either.
This week, the Ravens named Jovaughn Gwyn as their starting center. If you haven't heard of him, it wouldn't be a surprise. Gwyn only has one full season under his belt in the NFL. Last year, he played 17 games for the Atlanta Falcons, however, he was mainly a special teams guy.
In fact, Gwyn played just 11 offensive snaps for the Falcons last year, and he is yet to play a snap at center in the NFL, as he has been a guard when he has come into the offensive line for the Falcons in the past.
Let's get this straight. Dexter Lawrence, a three-time pro-bowler and two-time All-Pro defensive tackle, is coming up against a guy who played 11 snaps in the NFL last season per PFF, and has only really played as a special teamer; there's only one winner.
If the Bengals generate pressure up the middle to force Jackson out of the pocket, and make sure they designate a spy to contain his production on the ground, they could legitimately shut down this Ravens offense better than they've ever been able to before.
A huge upgrade on the defensive line for Cincinnati, and a huge downgrade in front of Jackson for Baltimore, that makes the division title seem a lot more achievable than it has over the past few seasons.
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