The Cincinnati Bengals offensive line entered the 2013 season as one of the best units in the entire NFL, and through two weeks, they’ve done nothing to dispute that notion. Against what’s still a very respectable Pittsburgh defense, the Bengals offensive line held it’s own against Dick LeBeu’s best blitz schemes.
Not only did the not allow a sack, but rarely even allowed Dalton to get knocked down. They also did yeoman’s work in maintaining their blocks and establishing a solid ground game, a rare happening against the Steelers.
This, after the Bengals rushed for a combined 94 yards in two games vs the Steelers last year.
Monday night, BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushed 22 times for 75 yards Giovani Bernard rushed eight times for 38 yards and a touchdown as the Bengals finished with 127 yards on the ground.
At the end of the day, the offensive line play was critical to getting the win Monday night, and through two games, they’ve more than lived up to their potential against two of the better defenses in the NFL.
After holding the Bears to just two pressures last week, the Bengals gave up 12 hurries and 3 hits this week, but considering Dalton dropped back 50+ times to pass, that’s a good number against a defense that thrives off of pressuring opposing QBs.
And after allowing just one sack in Week 1 vs the Chicago Bears, the Bengals are just one of five NFL teams to have allowed one sack or fewer thus far.