Bengals: It's high time we credit two unheralded heroes
The Cincinnati Bengals defense is getting more and more love as the weeks go by. And they deserve all of it. Heading into the final two weeks of the regular season, the unit has become almost as exciting as the offense. Think about the big names. Defensive tackle D.J. Reader is playing at another level […]
The Cincinnati Bengals defense is getting more and more love as the weeks go by. And they deserve all of it.
Heading into the final two weeks of the regular season, the unit has become almost as exciting as the offense.
Think about the big names.
Defensive tackle D.J. Reader is playing at another level as he slowly starts to get considered as one of the very best defenders in the entire league.
Meanwhile, edge rushers Trey Hendrickson and even Sam Hubbard are now getting recognized as one of the best pass rushing duos around. And even in the secondary, guys like Jessie Bates and Von Bell are usually credited for a large part of the Bengals' defensive success.
But there's one particular duo of players who doesn't seem to get enough credit even though they lead one of the best linebacker rooms in the league; Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson.
Per Pro Football Focus, they're the only pair of teammates to both rank Top 10 in overall defensive grade since Week 14.
For the entire season, Pratt ranks as the sixth best linebacker in the league with Wilson closely following at 18th.
For the Bengals defenders, it all starts with tackling. Both rank within the best 11 linebackers in the NFL in missed tackle percentage, per PFF. No other team has two linebackers in the Top 10 of said category, either.
But there's more than that.
Wilson, for instance, has provided the Bengals with pass rush as he's been used in 49 pass rush snaps (most in the team by any non-lineman). He's racked up 13 QB pressures in those opportunities.
Not to mention, both have had big moments in coverage. The pair combined for three interceptions and four PBUs over the first 16 weeks of the season.
Pratt actually leads the Bengals in coverage grade as he's allowed only a 68.9 passer rating in 36 targets.
Although linebacker isn't the most discussed position group when talking about the Bengals' success on defense, don't get it twisted. Pratt and Wilson at linebacker are one of the biggest reasons why Lou Anarumo's unit is turning heads.
Featured image via David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
