Bengals stymie Texans 20-6 as Houston drops first two video games once more

The Bengals protection shouldn’t be the identical protection as final season.

The Texans have been 0-for-4 within the pink zone, with their solely factors approaching two discipline objectives, and the Bengals received 20-6.

Cincinnati ran its file to 2-0 in 2026. Houston misplaced its first two video games for a second consecutive season. The Texans rallied from an 0-3 begin final season to make the playoffs.

The Bengals sacked C.J. Stroud 4 instances, with Cedric Johnson getting two and Jonathan Allen and Shemar Stewart every getting one. The Texans have been 5-of-17 on third down and 0-for-4 on fourth down, they usually gained solely 60 yards on 18 carries as prize offseason acquisition David Montgomery ran for 10 yards on six carries.

Stroud led the Texans in speeding 29 yards on three carries.

Stroud threw a career-high 55 passes, finishing 30 for 353 yards with out his three prime receivers. Nico Collins was inactive; Jayden Higgins is on season-ending injured reserve; and Tank Dell continues to be working his approach again from his 2024 leg harm.

The Bengals had solely 267 yards and punted eight instances, and Joe Burrow was sacked 5 instances. But Burrow, who was restricted in two practices final week with a again harm, threw landing passes of 32 and 18 yards to Ja’Marr Chase. Chase, who had solely two catches for 12 yards, caught seven passes for 75 yards. Tee Higgins made 5 receptions for 95 yards.

Chase Brown ran 20 instances for 80 yards.