One of the Cincinnati Bengals' biggest defensive improvements has become impossible to overlook.
Pro Football Focus reported Monday, Oct. 26 that Cincinnati has recorded 21 sacks through its first six games, tied for the NFL lead.
Via PFF, it's the Bengals' highest six-game sack total since at least 2020.
The jump is massive. Cincinnati managed just 11 sacks through six games in 2025 and eight in 2024. Its previous high during that seven-season span was 19 in 2023.
Season by season sack total for Bengals through 6 games
— PFF (@PFF) October 26, 2026
2020 10
2021 14
2022 9
2023 19
2024 8
2025 11
2026 21*
*tied for 1st in NFL pic.twitter.com/wW0WFUiVfr
Sunday's 35-13 victory over the Baltimore Ravens put Cincinnati's improved pass rush on display.
The Bengals brought down quarterback
Tyler Huntley four times, helping shut Baltimore out in the second half after trailing 13-0 at halftime.
Boye Mafe recorded two sacks, raising his team-leading total to five.
Rookie Cashius Howell also registered his first NFL sack, bringing down Huntley on third down in the third quarter.
Cincinnati has recorded multiple sacks in each of its six games this season.
Cincinnati's production reflects the huge difference for a defensive front bolstered by offseason additions Mafe, Jonathan Allen and Dexter Lawrence II.
Now sitting at 4-2, the Bengals have turned their pass rush into a prime strength heading into Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals lead NFL in eye-opening pass-rushing stat
