Week 1 is in the past and sights for the Houston Texans turn to Week 2 and a date with Joe Burrow.
Losing to the Buffalo Bills isn't the worst outcome for a contending team. Josh Allen proved he was once again a favorite to win the league's MVP and the offense seemed to have more juice than in past years following the trade of D.J. Moore.
Still, Houston's defense allowed over 400 yards and gave up 36 points, the second-most in the DeMeco Ryans' era. And while the Cincinnati Bengals have their questions, they can score early and often behind Burrow, All-Pro wideout Ja'Marr Chase and Pro Bowler Tee Higgins.
Cincinnati is coming off a 33-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where things got interesting in the second half. The Bengals defense forced
four turnovers, including three on quarterback Baker Mayfield with fumbles. Then, in the third quarter, Burrow threw a pick-six to rookie lineback Josiah Trotter to give momentum to Tampa entering the fourth. Mayfield would hold onto the football this time in the end zone, resulting in a 9-yard touchdown run and in a six-point differential.
The offense converted on third-and-short to seal the game.
As for the Texans, turnovers cost them early and late in their game against the Bills. On the opening offensive drive, C.J. Stroud was stripped and sacked, resulting in a turnover deep into Houston territory. On the final drive, the same thing happened with just 30 seconds remaining.
"You have to make plays. It's simple as that," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said postgame. "We had opportunities to make plays and we didn't make plays."
This is an early but crucial in-conference game for both teams, who are looking to improve to 1-1 and 2-0, with a chance to take the lead in the standings for playoff seeding. Butwhat do oddsmakers think about this battle between two former quarterbacks who once called Ohio home?
Buy Houston Texans vs. Cincinnati Bengals tickets
How to watch Texans vs. Bengals
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026
- Time: 12 p.m. CT
- Location: Relaint Stadium (Houston, TX)
- TV: CBS
- Stream: FuboTV (try it for free)
- Radio: 95.7 The Fan (Houston)
Watch Texans vs. Bengals game FREE on Fubo
Texans' regular-season schedule 2025
Below is Houston's regular-season schedule.
Week 1: Sunday, September 13, Noon CT: vs. Buffalo Bills - L 36-31
Week 2: Sunday, September 20, Noon CT: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 3: Sunday, September 27, Noon CT: at Indianapolis Colts
Week 4: Sunday, October 4, Noon CT: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 5: Sunday, October 11, Noon CT: at Tennessee Titans
Week 6: Sunday, October 19, 8:30 a.m.: at Jacksonville Jaguars (London)
Week 7: Sunday, October 25, 9 p.m. CT: vs. New York Giants
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1: Bye Week
Week 9: Sunday, November 8, 3:00 p.m. CT: at Los Angeles Chargers
Week 10: Sunday, November 15, Noon CT: at Cleveland Browns
Week 11: Thursday, November 19, 7:20 p.m. CT: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 12: Thursday, November 29, Noon: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week 13: Sunday, December 6, 7:20 p.m. CT: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 14: Sunday, December 13, Noon CT: at Washington Commanders
Week 15: Sunday, December 20, Noon CT: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 16: Thursday, December 24, 7:15 p.m. CT: at Philadelphia Eagles (Amazon Prime)
Week 17: Monday, January 4, 7:20 p.m. CT: at Green Bay Packers
Week 18: TBD: vs. Tennessee Titans
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: NFL Week 2 odds: Texans open as home favorite vs. Bengals
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