After six weeks, the Cincinnati Bengals are 4-2 and in the hunt for a spot in the NFL playoffs.
While Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the offense get most of the attention, it’s been the defense that’s consistently put this team in position to win most weeks.
A big part of that is having one of the league’s best safeties — Jessie Bates — roaming the secondary and helping this defense rank second in yards per play allowed, fifth in scoring defense, and fourth in opponent yards per pass.
Unfortunately, Bates is currently slated to become a free agent next offseason after the Bengals were unable to sign him to a long-term extension over the summer.