70.35 Percent Double-Team Rate: Dexter Lawrence Was Shut Down in 2025, And Boye Mafe Sees a Bengals D-Line Awakening

Alright, 12s, let's talk about something brewing in the AFC that could shake up the whole league, and yeah, it involves one of our former guys. We're talking Dexter Lawrence here, the defensive tackle who absolutely exploded in 2024 with a career-high nine sacks. Fast forward to 2025 and man, it was a rough season for him, posting career lows with only 0.5 sacks and eight quarterback hits. His three-year Pro Bowl streak? Gone, just like that. But here's the kicker: he's on a new team for 2026, and our very own Boye Mafe, now rocking the stripes in Cincinnati, has some thoughts that could get the league buzzing.

What Happened to Lawrence in 2025?

Look, when you're a beast like Lawrence, teams are gonna try to stop you. And boy, did they ever in 2025. Pro Football Focus reported he faced the fifth-highest double-team rate among all defensive tackles, a staggering 70.35 percent! That's just brutal. It's tough to make plays when two guys are always in your face. But Lawrence isn't making excuses, not really. He knows his game. "I’m more managing it now, because you can’t really beat up on other teams," Lawrence said a week ago, per the Associated Press. "So during the season you just let it go and you flow. I know how I approach this game and my impact to the game, even when

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

it doesn’t show up on the sack numbers." That's the mindset of a true pro, knowing his presence alone is a problem for offenses.

Boye Mafe's Take On The Bengals' New Look D-Line

So, what are the Bengals doing about this? They went out and got Lawrence, for starters. But they didn't stop there. They loaded up their defensive line like it was Black Friday at the mall, adding defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and edge rushers Boye Mafe and Cashius Howell. And guess what? This new crew could be the key to freeing up Lawrence from those constant double teams. Mafe, who’s now part of that formidable unit, is absolutely hyped about Lawrence's arrival. "We know the caliber of player he is," Mafe said. "Having him on our side, it makes it so much easier. It makes everyone’s job around us easier. He’s a calming presence because we have him on our side." You hear that? A "calming presence" who makes everyone's job easier. That's exactly what you want from your D-line anchor, especially one with a chip on his shoulder after a down year. This D-line in Cincinnati is looking absolutely stacked, and if Lawrence can get back to his 2024 form, or even close to it, it's gonna be a problem for opposing offenses. Keep an eye on the Bengals in 2026, Seattle. A revitalized Dexter Lawrence, backed by guys like our former Seahawk Boye Mafe, could be a serious force. You know we'll be watching how that defense develops!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.