Week 2 picks: Who the experts are taking in Texans vs. Bengals

Another week, another headline broadcast crew for the Houston Texans' matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Texans look to move to 1-1 on the season against Joe Burrow and the Bengals

' offense after a less-than-stellar defensive outing against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, the AFC North franchise is ready to get rolling to 2-0, proving this season will be different with Zac Taylor at the helm.

While the Bengals are listing Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow as questionable for Sunday's matchup, he's expected to play. The same can't be said for Texans Pro Bowl wideout Nico Collins (hamstring) or defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (knee) as the duo will miss Sunday's action, putting pressure on Houston's depth to deliver.

Houston's

defense must improve if it plans on getting back to title contention. Houston's defense allowed 400-plus yards to MVP quarterback Josh Allen and four touchdowns, including a 34-yard touchdown pass to Josh Palmer on the final drive to take a 36-31 lead.

Will the Texans secure a win in Week 2? Can Cincinnati remain undefeated? Here's who the experts are rolling with this weekend as they enter NRG Stadium.

Sep 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery (79) in action during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

USA Today

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Texans
Jarrett Bell: Texans
Nick Brinkerhoff: Texans
Chris Bumbaca: Texans
Nate Davis: Texans
Adam Kauffman: Bengals

Sep 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) runs with the ball during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

NFL.com

Jeremy Bergman: Texans
Brooke Cersosimo: Texans
Dan Parr: Texans
Gennaro Filice: Texans
Bobby Kownack: Bengals

Sep 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back David Montgomery (32) runs with the ball during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

ESPN

Stephania Bell: Texans
Matt Bowen: Texans
Mike Clay: Texans
Jeremy Fowler: Benglas
Dan Graziano: Texans
Kalyn Kahler: Texans
Pamela Maldonado: Bengals
Eric Moody: Bengals
Jason Reid: Texans
Ben Solak: Texans
Lindsey Thiry: Bengals
Sam Wickersham: Texans

Sep 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) passes the ball during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

CBS Sports

Pete Prisco: Texans
Jared Dubin: Texans
Ryan Wilson: Bengals
John Breech: Bengals
Tyler Sullivan: Bengals
Dave Richard: Texans
Jamey Eisenberg: Bengals

Sep 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) talks with teammates before a play during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

MMQB

Albert Breer: Bengals
Eva Geitheim: Texans
Mitch Goldich: Texans
Gilberto Manzano: Bengals
Conor Orr: Texans
John Pluym: Texans
Matt Verderame: Texans
Mike Kadlick: Bengals

Sep 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) makes a catch against Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) during the first quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Bleacher Report

Gary Davenport: Bengals
Brad Gagnon: Texans
Ian Hanford: Texans
Kris Knox: Texans
Maurice Moton: Texans
Wes O’Donnell: Bengals
Brent Sobleski: Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) runs the ball in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.

Texans Wire

Cole Thompson: Bengals

Sep 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs with the ball during the game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images