# Boye Mafe Wingman Mentality

> Boye Mafe leads Bengals defense with wingman strategy.
- Title: Boye Mafe Wingman Mentality · Cincinnati Bengals On SI
- Summary: Boye Mafe leads Bengals defense with wingman strategy. Boye Mafe emphasizes team trust and belief to create a wingman defensive mentality for the Bengals.
- Keywords: boye mafe, bengals, defensive change, wingman mentality, pro football focus, tampa bay buccaneers, baker mayfield, demetrius knight jr, ja'marr chase, espn fpi, sports, Boye
- Source: Cincinnati Bengals On SI — https://si.com/nfl/bengals/onsi/wingman-mentality-marquee-free-agent-boye-mafe-spearheading-bengals-defensive-change-01m2my7gjvkm
- Published: 2026-09-16T14:08:49+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: boye mafe, bengals, defensive change, wingman mentality, pro football focus, tampa bay buccaneers, baker mayfield, demetrius knight jr, ja'marr chase, espn fpi, sports
## Boye Mafe's debut
Boye Mafe had a huge Bengals debut this past weekend.
## Wingman defense
He loves being a wingman to help the whole defense lift off together.
## Missed tackles
The defense had a lot of missed tackles as one of the five highest-missed-tackle-rate defenses in the league.
## Pro Football Focus grade
Mafe led the defense with a great 86.5 Pro Football Focus grade on 37 snaps.
## Fumble recoveries
The defense posted 100% recovery of four forced fumbles and four-plus sacks.
## Week 1 stats
Cincinnati is the first team since the 1993 Saints to post -4 sacks -4 fumble recoveries -Defensive TD.
## Mafe's quote
They bring guys like us in for a reason to change that narrative and show what it can be here.

> They bring guys like us in for a reason, and one of those reasons is to change that narrative, create our own narrative, and show the guys what it can be here.
## Team trust
Having that belief in each other and trust creates the wingman mentality that will take them far.
## Game result
Cincinnati gave up less than 300 yards in the 33-27 win over Tampa Bay.
## Offensive impact
The defense helped the offense overcome a rough day from Ja'Marr Chase.
## Key takeaway

Boye Mafe emphasizes team trust and belief to create a wingman defensive mentality for the Bengals.