It’s so interesting how when there’s a problem, whether on your favorite sports team or in everyday life, you complain non-stop about it. Then when it’s remedied, you don’t say a peep, maybe not even acknowledging that not only is it remedied but also working really well. The Bengals’ offensive line fits that exact description.
For years, Bengals fans complained about the team’s offensive line. Sometimes unfairly, but the criticism was fair more often than not for the first six years of Joe Burrow’s
career. But over the last four years, the Bengals have quietly built what is now one of the NFL’s best offensive lines.
Through six games, the Bengals have allowed just 10 sacks. And this is the heart of their success this season: Five of those sacks came in Week 2 against Houston. That means, in the other five games, Joe Burrow has only been sacked an average of one time per game. One time per game. That’s it.
It’s been four years since the Bengals were in the Playoffs. The last time they played a playoff game was in the AFC Championship Game in January of 2023. They did so with three backup offensive linemen taking the field that night at Arrowhead Stadium. That night, the Bengals gained zero yards in the first quarter, and Joe Burrow was sacked on the Bengals’ final offensive play of the game.
Less than two months later, the Bengals swung big and signed the best left tackle in free agency in Orlando Brown Jr.. Brown has signed multiple contract extensions with the Bengals since then. After Week 2, there was concern about him, and rightfully so. He had a rough preseason and training camp.
But since Week 2 against Houston, have you even noticed him? It was worth keeping your stock in him.
With the 18th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bengals drafted Amarius Mims out of Georgia. There was concern over his limited playing time in college, but that’s not at all the conversation now about the Bengals’ franchise right tackle. He looks like the second coming of Willie Anderson.
Watch the play where Burrow stepped up in the pocket and found Tee Higgins for a 44-yard gain Sunday. At the outset of the play, Mims erased Ravens edge rusher Mike Green completely out of the play. It was impressive.
How about the interior of the Bengals’ offensive line? Ted Karras is the only starter from the Bengals’ offensive line from that 2022 AFC Championship still with the team. He’s as solid as they come and a true leader on this team. Dylan Fairchild is unnoticeable at left guard.
Yes, he’s had a couple of key holding penalties this season, but he’s playing really well in his second season. He looks like a home run who the Bengals drafted in the third round of the 2025 Draft. Dalton Risner signed with the Bengals last August, just a week before the season started. He’s blocking incredibly well both in the passing and running games. Since becoming the full-time starter at right guard in the middle of last season, the Bengals’ offense has been much more fluid upfront.
In the second half Sunday, Joe Burrow had clean pockets every time he dropped back to pass. When was the last time you saw the Bengals control the line of scrimmage like that, especially in a division game?
The Bengals finally have a really good offensive line in front of Joe Burrow. They deserve their credit, even if they want to go through life anonymously. Fans complained about the Bengals’ offensive line for years and, more often than not, rightfully so. But now, fans aren’t talking about the Bengals’ offensive line even though they deserve a lot of credit. That’s a good thing. Still, though, the Bengals’ offensive line is playing really good football heading into November.
