Bengals vs. Texans Prediction, Odds & Picks for Sept. 20: Cincy Live Dog
Week 2 of the NFL season rolls on with a game in the Lone Star State between AFC rivals as the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Houston Texans Sunday afternoon and we have you covered with our Bengals vs. Texans prediction. Cincinnati comes in off a 33-27 home win over Tampa Bay last Sunday. They covered the line as a 4.5-point favorite. Houston fell 36-31 to Buffalo at home in their season opener last Sunday. The Texans failed to cover the line as a 1.5-point underdog.
In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Texans own a 7-5 advantage. However, Houston won four of the last five meetings, including a 30-27 road win in the most recent matchup on November 12, 2023. Read on to get our Bengals vs. Texans prediction.
Cincinnati Bengals Shoot to Start 2-0
Cincinnati Bengals Last Game
The Bengals built a big lead against Tampa Bay in the opener but then had to hold off a late charge to secure the victory. Cincinnati improved to 1-0 on the year with the win. Cincinnati gave up the opening points in the game on a field goal but scored the next 21 points to take a 21-3 advantage. The Bengals led 24-10 at the half and hung on after Tampa Bay cut the lead to six with 3:19 remaining.
Cincinnati rolled up a 351-282 advantage in total offense, picked up 28 first downs while allowing 19 and controlled the clock by a 31:25 to 28:35 margin. In addition, the Bengals forced four turnovers, including a scoop-six, while committing one. That giveaway, however, was another pick-six by Joe Burrow.
Cincinnati Bengals Summary
Cincinnati enters this game ranked 10th in the league with 245 passing yards per contest. The Bengals are 20th in rushing yards per contest with 106 yards per game. Cincinnati is 7th in scoring offense by putting up 33 points per game. The Bengals are 18th in scoring defense as they allow 27 points per contest.
Joe Burrow is 25 of 35 passing for 254 yards with one touchdown and one interception on the year. He added 20 rushing yards and was sacked once. In the run game, Chase Brown is the lead back as he had 16 carries for 55 yards and a score. Samaje Perine (five carries, 20 yards) is the second back in the system.
In the passing game, Brown (22 yards) and tight end Mike Gesicki (78 yards, TD) each had five catches to lead the team. Perine (30 yards) and Tee Higgins (59 yards) each had three catches. Meanwhile, Ja’Marr Chase (12 yards) and Andrei Iosivas (12 yards) each caught two balls. One has to expect Chase to be more involved offensively in this contest. Evan McPherson hit all three extra point attempts and four of four field goal attempts with a long of 58.
Houston Texans Seeking to Rebound
Houston Texans Last Game
The Texans offense was effective in their opener against Buffalo. The problem for the Texans was their inability to stop the Bills’ offense as they turned in their worst performance of the DeMeco Ryans era. In a game with eight lead changes, the Texans gave up the eventual winning score with under two minutes to play. The Texans drove to the Buffalo nine-yard line only to see C.J. Stroud sacked on the next two plays. The second saw Stroud fumble and Buffalo recovered to secure the result.
Houston was outgained 409-381 in total offense in the contest. The Texans did win the first down battle by a 26-20 margin and controlled the clock by a 36:17 to 23:43 margin. However, Houston did commit the only two turnovers in the contest.
Houston Texans Summary
Houston enters this contest eighth in the league in passing offense as they finished with 257 yards per contest. The Texans are 13th in rushing offense with 124 yards per contest on the ground. Houston is tied for 8th in the league in scoring offense as they put up 31 points per contest. Houston stands 28th in the league in scoring defense by allowing 36 points per game.
C.J. Stroud completed 26 of 38 passes for 274 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He ran for 15 yards and was sacked three times. In addition, he fumbled twice, losing them both. David Montgomery leads the team on the ground with 20 carries for 60 yards and two scores. Woody Marks contributed nine carries for 42 yards in the contest for Houston.
Nico Collins led the team with seven receptions for 75 yards and a score. Tight end Dalton Schultz contributed four grabs for 35 yards. Meanwhile Montgomery (19 yards, TD) and Xavier Hutchinson (32 yards) each finished with three receptions. With Collins out this week, Jaylin Noel (two catches, 52 yards) likely sees more action. Ka’imi Fairbairn connected on all four extra point attempts and hit his lone field goal attempt, which came from 58 yards.
Get Up to $1,000 Matched in FanCash Bet $20, Get $350 Bonus Bets Bengals vs. Texans Prediction
Bengals ML (+125, Fanatics)
Houston struggled mightily against the Buffalo offense in week 1. The Texans gave up 10.4 yards per pass attempt to Josh Allen. Burrow has a pair of elite receivers on the outside in Chase and Higgins who can do damage. Their matchups with Derek Stingley and Kamari Lassiter are going to go a long way to determining this contest. For some reason, the Texans get off to slow starts in the season under DeMeco Ryans before getting in gear. We saw the Bengals’ defense force four turnovers last week. If the offensive line holds up, Burrow can do damage. Take the Bengals in a minor upset here. Go to Fanatics and take the Bengals in this contest.
Over 45.5 (-110, BetMGM)
We saw both teams go over the number in their respective openers. The Bengals combined with Tampa Bay to score 60 points last week. Meanwhile, Houston combined with Buffalo for 67 points in their week 1 tilt. Dating back to last season, five of the Texans’ last seven games went over the number. After seeing both teams struggle to slow down the opposition last week, the potential for fireworks is there. The last two meetings between the teams went over the number. Look for this contest to wind up over the total as the offenses are clicking again here. Head to BetMGM and take the Over.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
-
Bears vs. Vikings Prediction, Odds & Picks for Sept. 20: Expect Scoring
-
Colts vs. Chiefs Prediction, Odds & Picks for Sept. 20: Chiefs Grind Out Win
-
Jaguars vs. Broncos Prediction, Odds & Picks for Sept. 20: Denver Set for Bounce-Back Win
-
Bengals vs. Texans Prediction, Odds & Picks for Sept. 20: Cincy Live Dog
-
Giants vs. Dodgers Prediction, Odds & Props for Sept. 19: L.A. Wins Again
-
LSU vs Ole Miss Predictions, Odds and Picks for Saturday: Rebels Get Their Revenge