The Cincinnati Bengals are undefeated after two weeks for a second-straight season, but this team actually looks like one that is off to a “fast start.”
Cincinnati struggled with penalties and protecting Joe Burrow but still rolled to a 20-6 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday at Reliant Stadium to improve to 2-0.
The defense delivered again, Ja’Marr Chase had two touchdown catches and Evan McPherson tacked on a pair of field goals to remain perfect. Here’s five takeaways from the win:
Defense delivers again
After producing four turnovers and four sacks in a one-score victory over Tampa Bay in the opener, the Bengals defense looked even more sound in Week 2.
They held an opponent without a touchdown for just the third time in the Zac Taylor era – first time since 2022 against the New York Jets – and while playing with a lead in the second half, Cincinnati’s defensive line was able to tee off on Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud. Cedric Johnson was credited with 2.0 sacks, Shemar Stewart had one on the final drive to open his campaign and Jonathan Allen produced a sack for a second straight game.
Allen led the team with five pressures, while fellow newcomers Dexter Lawrence and Boye Mafe, rookie Cashius Howell and Johnson each added four.
With less than four minutes left, Jordan Battle notably made a stop on third down and then was in coverage on the ensuing fourth-and-1 pass that fell incomplete. That pretty much sealed the game.
Bounce-back game for Chase
Bengals coach Zac Taylor, offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher and Burrow all said this week they needed to do more to get the ball to Chase after he was targeted just four times and made two catches for 12 yards in the opener.
Burrow was able to get both of his top receivers involved this time, and Chase finished with seven catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns on nine targets. Both touchdowns were impressive, the first a diving catch in the front corner of the end zone past Derek Stingley Jr. for 32 yards and the second an 18-yard grab on third-and-6.
Tee Higgins led the receivers with 95 yards on five catches and 10 targets, including a notable long reception of 23 yards on third down to set up Chase’s first touchdown.
Sloppy mistakes
The Bengals were able to overcome a number of sloppy mistakes, but penalties are something they will need to clean up moving forward.
Cincinnati was the third-least penalized team last year but finished the game Sunday with 12 penalties for 78 yards, including five false starts in a loud environment that might have been amplified with the roof closed at Reliant Stadium.
The offensive line particularly had a rough day with four of those false starts and the unit also didn’t do enough to keep Houston’s pass rushers at bay — especially in a week where Burrow was limited by back tightness.
Burrow didn’t seem bothered during the game but his offensive line gave up nine pressures and five sacks against a highly-touted Houston defensive line. Orlando Brown Jr. was charged with giving up two sacks and also had two of the false start penalties.
McPherson remains steady
Early in the third quarter with a 7-3 lead, the Bengals had a decision to make on fourth-and-2: Try a 51-yard field goal or go for it.
With the defense playing well, they didn’t need seven points and knew there would be more opportunities, so they trusted dependable Evan McPherson, and he delivered.
McPherson came through again in the fourth quarter with a 57-yarder to make it a 14-point game, and the score held up for the final. He is 6-for-6 on field goal attempts through two games with four makes of 50 yards or more, and “Money Mac” is 33-of-47 from that range over six NFL seasons, including a career-high nine makes on 11 attempts as a rookie in 2021.
Off to a fast start
The Bengals focused a lot of attention last year on getting off to a faster start after strong finishes weren’t enough to make the playoffs in 2023 and 2024, but Burrow’s turf toe injury sidetracked that effort.
This feels like a legitimately encouraging start, especially getting a win on the road against an AFC opponent that won a playoff game last year and returned most of that squad. The Texans were missing two key starters, including wide receiver Nico Collins, but Cincinnati’s defense deserves its flowers after ranking 31st last year in yards allowed and 30th in points allowed.
Burrow and the offense have more to offer but are still off to a better start than usual. Cincinnati sloppily went 2-0 last year but then lost four straight and eight of the next nine.
Bengals Texans Football
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'marr Chase, left, reacts after catching a pass for a touchdown as Houston Texans safety Reed Blankenship, (6) and safety Calen Bullock (2) tried to defend during the second half of an NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
Bengals Texans Football
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
Bengals Texans Football
Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Daxton Hill, left, breaks up a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel, right, during the second half of an NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
Bengals Texans Football
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'marr Chase (1) and Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24), right, talk on the field after an NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
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Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II, left, and inside linebacker Oren Burks, right, tackle Houston Texans running back David Montgomery, center, for no gain during the first half of an NFL football game in Houston, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
Top photos from Week 2 of the NFL season
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow greets fans before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
Bengals Texans Football
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow smiles as he speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.