Bengals offensive line leads NFL in pressure defense

The Cincinnati Bengals enter their matchup against Tennessee holding the tenth-lowest rate of quarterback pressures in the National Football League. The team also allows sacks at the seventh-lowest rate. These numbers mark a distinct shift from previous seasons where the offensive line often struggled to protect quarterback Joe Burrow.

Right tackle Amarius Mims has emerged as the primary driver of this improvement. The 2024 first-round pick has shown a marked increase in consistency during his third year in the league. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher noted that Mims often appears invisible on film because he neutralizes edge rushers far from the quarterback. Pitcher said Mims is becoming commonplace in his execution, a trait that makes his performance remarkable.

Head coach Zac Taylor called Mims the best tackle he has observed this season. Taylor described Mims as dominant on the field. This assessment follows a game against the Baltimore Ravens where Mims effectively controlled the pass rush, limiting pressure on Burrow throughout the contest.

Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. provided a reliable anchor on the other end of the line. In the previous week, Brown faced former Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson did not record a sack in that game and only hit Burrow twice. Brown described his performance as feeling good and expressed a desire to maintain that level of play against any opponent.

Center Ted Karras, now in his 11th season, evaluates his current play as very solid. He has allowed only one sack so far this year. That single pressure occurred in Week 2 against the Houston Texans. All-Pro edge rusher Will Anderson lined up directly over Karras and won the engagement on an unorthodox play. Karras credits his communication skills and football intelligence for the unit's stability.

The guard positions have seen the most substantial changes compared to past rosters. The Bengals previously relied on untested young players and veteran journeymen in those spots. This season, 2025 third-round pick Dylan Fairchild has improved his technique. He has eliminated many of the negative plays that led to turnovers and ugly sacks during his rookie year. Veteran Dalton Risner has also built on his success from the previous campaign.

Guard Fairchild credited offensive line coach Scott Peters for his development. Fairchild stated that his usage of hands has grown significantly since the start of camp. He noted that Peters emphasized the need to use hands in the league, which has made it easier for Fairchild to engage opponents. The unit's rapid gelling has allowed the Bengals to throw the ball at the fifth-highest rate in the NFL while Burrow posts the league's best completion percentage.

Karras summarized the group's current status by saying they are playing pretty good ball. He cited strong rapport among the players and a shared commitment to playing hard as key factors in their success.