Bengals vs Texans predictions, graded
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans · Week 2, 2026 · Sun, Sep 20 · Final: Bengals 20, Texans 6 · Updated
Who do pundits pick in Bengals vs Texans? Of 18 pundits with a call on record, 11 take the Texans and 7 take the Bengals. 8 named a score; the median has the Texans by 2.5. The Bengals won 20-6, so 7 of 18 had the winner. Their graded calls averaged 36 out of 100.
Who the room took
18 pundits · each counted once, by their latest callBengals vs Texans picks by outlet
Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.
- CBS SportsTexans 3, Bengals 2
- First Things First (podcast)Texans 3, Bengals 1
- Football 301 with Nate Tice (podcast)all 2 Bengals
- John and Lance — ESPN Houston (podcast)Texans 1, Bengals 1
- The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast)Texans 1, Bengals 1
The other 3 pundits write or talk elsewhere: all 3 Texans.
Bengals vs Texans score predictions
8 pundits named a score; the median call is Texans by 2.5, and the final was Bengals by 14.
Each dot is one pundit’s latest score call, placed at the winning margin it named. The solid bar is how the game actually finished. Hover or tap a dot for the pundit and the score.
- Chris SimmsTexans 23, Bengals 20Miss · 24
- Jared DubinTexans 26, Bengals 24Miss · 21
- Pete PriscoTexans 28, Bengals 23Miss · 29
- Nate TiceBengals 20, Texans 17Close · 74
- Jordan DajaniTexans 27, Bengals 23Miss · 26
- Richard ShermanTexans 24, Bengals 17Miss · 33
- Mitchell EisensteinBengals 31, Texans 27Close · 76
- John BreechBengals 23, Texans 20Close · 74
Bengals at Texans: how they came in
The Bengals are 1-0; the Texans are 0-1. On win totals, 11 pundits put the Bengals at 10.9 wins on average, and 20 pundits put the Texans at 10.2 wins on average.
NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
- Record coming in
- 1-0 · 33 scored, 27 allowed
- Last games
- W 33-27 vs Buccaneers Week 1
- Unit ranks
- offense 6th, defense 18th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 6-11
- Win-total calls
- 11 pundits · average 10.9 · 9 to 13 wins
- The room's picks
- the side most pundits took won 1 of 1 Bengals game
- Record coming in
- 0-1 · 31 scored, 36 allowed
- Last games
- L 31-36 vs Bills Week 1
- Unit ranks
- offense 7th, defense 10th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 12-5
- Win-total calls
- 22 pundits · average 10.2 · 1 to 17 wins
- The room's picks
- the side most pundits took won 0 of 1 Texans game
Bengals and Texans players to watch
Each club’s starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit on our leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick (69 pundits clear that bar), made since the 2026 schedule came out. “No.” is their rank there.
Bengals
- Joe BurrowStarting QB · QB
2,386 passing yards · 23 TD, 6 INT · 74.0% completions · 8 games · 2nd in the NFL in passing yards
Joe Burrow to stay with Cincinnati Bengals
“There's a better chance of astronauts landing on Jupiter next week than the Bengals trading Burrow, who is signed through the 2029 season.” the article →
“Now they're going down to Houston. Joe Burrow's got a, you know, a little bit of a back issue, but I I fully anticipate him playing.” the article →
- Chase BrownRB1 · RB
397 rushing yards on 103 carries · 1 TD · 39 catches for 207 · 8 games · 23rd in the NFL in rushing yards
Chase Brown to be 1st on the depth chart
“I do not believe backup Samaje Perine is a threat to Brown's workhorse role.” the article →
Chase Brown to outplay his draft cost (round two)
“Chase Brown, I'm all in on... So I'm all in on Chase Brown” the article →
- Tee HigginsWR1 · WR
48 catches for 758 yards · 6 TD · 8 games · 5th in the NFL in receiving yards
“I don't think Tee Higgins plays in this game because even with the side work, he's been listed as DMP for both days. (Week 5)” the article →
Tee Higgins to be 2nd on the depth chart
“we're kind of talking like a guy that's essentially a low end one, and really but in his role though he's a high end two. I'm gonna go with T Higgins” the article →
- Mike GesickiTE1 · TE
19 catches for 252 yards · 6 TD · 7 games · 101st in the NFL in receiving yards
- Boye MafeSack leader · DE
5.5 sacks · 13 solo tackles · 8 games · 12th in the NFL in sacks
Boye Mafe to be 1st on the depth chart
“Murphy and Mafe are listed as the first-teamers right now” the article →
- Jordan BattleTackle leader · S
36 solo tackles · 3 interceptions · 8 games · 14th in the NFL in solo tackles
Texans
- C.J. StroudStarting QB · QB
2,251 passing yards · 16 TD, 2 INT · 64.2% completions · 100 rushing yards · 8 games · 7th in the NFL in passing yards
C.J. Stroud: “if he continues his strong play, the Texans will be forced to pay Stroud as one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL”
“And if the Texans do wind up being forced to pay Stroud as one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL, they'll be due to pay for it in the form of making some big sacrifices around a talented roster.” the article →
C.J. Stroud: “if he just finishes like this, 65,000,000 a year and the highest paid quarterback”
“if the season ended today and you're doing a CJ Stroud contract, it's fucking 65,000,000 a year... But if he just finishes like this... I don't know how you don't make him the highest paid quarterback based on where he is on his contract.” the article →
- Woody MarksRB1 · RB
341 rushing yards on 95 carries · 2 TD · 15 catches for 98 · 8 games · 28th in the NFL in rushing yards
Woody Marks to be 1st on the depth chart
“Houston's running back room will once again be held down by Woody Marks as the leader in the backfield, paired with veterans Dare Ogunbowale and Emari Demercado as his primary backups.” the article →
Woody Marks to be 1st on the depth chart
“So he's going to have this backfield to himself. He not only is going to get a vast majority of the carries while David Montgomery is out” the article →
- Nico CollinsWR1 · WR
28 catches for 384 yards · 4 TD · 6 games · 42nd in the NFL in receiving yards
Nico Collins to be 1st on the depth chart
“Nico Collins is going to remain WR1 as he has for the past three seasons.” the article →
“he played well in Week 1 but wasn't as good on Sunday without Nico Collins, who is expected to miss this Sunday's game against the also-winless Colts (Week 3)” the article →
- Dalton SchultzTE1 · TE
35 catches for 364 yards · 0 TD · 8 games · 47th in the NFL in receiving yards
Dalton Schultz to outplay his draft cost (late-round)
“Consider Schultz a midrange TE2 for fantasy. (listed among late-round tight ends experts love to target)” the article →
Dalton Schultz to outplay his draft cost (ADP 25)
“Schultz could flirt with borderline TE1 production again this season with Jayden Higgons lost for the season to a torn ACL.” the article →
- Will Anderson Jr.Sack leader · DE
9.5 sacks · 18 solo tackles · 8 games · 1st in the NFL in sacks
Will Anderson Jr. to stay with Houston Texans
“DE Will Anderson, Texans ... Even if the Texans were considering dealing Anderson (they aren't), his no-trade clause would make that difficult.” the article →
Will Anderson Jr. to win Defensive Player of the Year
“Defensive Player of the Year — Mike Kadlick: Will Anderson Jr., edge, Texans” the article →
- Kamari LassiterTackle leader · CB
1 sack · 32 solo tackles · 8 games · 34th in the NFL in solo tackles
Kamari Lassiter to record 1 interceptions
“Kamari Lassiter Comes Alive With 1st INT of Season ... And who better than Kamari Lassiter to capitalize on that opportunity” the article →
Every call on Bengals at Texans
1–25 of 25
Houston Texans to beat Cincinnati
All right, Bengals at the Texans on Sunday. I would not want to be Cincinnati, though I like them... The Texans' defense for the first time in, I don't remember, was kind of embarrassed. They'll be in a terrible, terrible mood. I think they'll take it out on Cincinnati.
Houston Texans to beat Bengals
So I guess we're gonna make a clean sweep in that I also am leaning Texans.
Houston Texans to beat Bengals
Sorry, Cincinnati, but give me the Texans.
Houston Texans to beat Bengals
I got four chips on I like the Bengals, but I'm going with the Texans.
Cincinnati Bengals to beat Texans
going five on the Bengals... I like Cincinnati outright.
Houston Texans 23 — Bengals 20
I'm taking, the Texans here. I'm gonna take them 23 to 20.
Cincinnati Bengals to beat Texans
I still got the Texans winning this one. You got the Texans? / No. I don't. ... But without Nico Collins, I just think there's a tremendous amount of pressure on CJ, frankly, to be perfect.
Houston Texans to beat Bengals
I still got the Texans winning this one. ... I like the Texans over the Bengals.
Houston Texans to beat Bengals
I've just you know, I've already turned my picks in. I had Texans when I had to turn them into NFL.
Houston Texans to beat Bengals
I got the Texans. Because when when times are the darkest, I'm still with our team.
Houston Texans 26 — Bengals 24
Jared Dubin on why he has Houston winning and covering against Cincinnati, 26-24.
Houston Texans 28 — Bengals 23
Pick: Texans 28, Bengals 23
Cincinnati Bengals to beat Texans
but I'm gonna go Bengals here... yep, going with the Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals 20 — Texans 17
I think it's gonna be grinded out game. Like you said, I think this is gonna be, like, a twenty seventeen game, but I'm gonna go Bengals here.
Cincinnati Bengals to beat Texans
ultimately, that Bengals pick it just enough of these matchups. I think they win this game.
Houston Texans 27 — Bengals 23
Jordan Dajani -- Texans (-2.5) 27-23 over Bengals.
Houston Texans 26 — Bengals 24
Prediction: Texans 26, Bengals 24
Houston Texans 27 — Bengals 23
Prediction: Texans 27, Bengals 23
Houston Texans to beat Cincinnati Bengals
I have Houston winning... So I'm a go Houston in this game... If he does play, I have Houston winning this game.
Cincinnati Bengals to beat Houston Texans
Cincinnati Bengals (+3) at Houston Texans ... If this is an early indication that the unit may regress (even slightly) from their stellar production last season, the Bengals could be live.
Houston Texans 24 — Cincinnati Bengals 17
I got the Houston Texans winning this game 24-17.
Cincinnati Bengals 31 — Houston Texans 27
I got them putting up 31 points. I got them winning this game 31-27... Bengals... go on the road in Houston and get the win.
Cincinnati Bengals 23 — Texans 20
Bengals 23-20 over Texans
Houston Texans to beat Bengals
Bengals (at Texans). ... if your offense tends to get off to a slow start, the Texans' defense is not the unit you want to be facing.
Houston Texans to beat Bengals
Bengals offensive line blows. Texans two and o.