The Cincinnati Bengals (1-0) and Houston Texans (0-1) clash in NFL Week 2. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET from Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The game will broadcast live on CBS.
The Texans are 2.5-point favorites over the Bengals on the spread (Texans -2.5), with the over/under set at 46.5 total points. Houston is listed as a -142 moneyline favorite to win outright, while Cincinnati is a +120 underdog to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Bengals vs Texans predictions and NFL picks for Sunday, September 20.
Bengals vs Texans Prediction
- Bengals vs Texans pick: Texans -2.5 (-115) | Texans Team Total Over 23.5 (-120)
My Bengals vs. Texans best bet is split between Houston to cover the spread (-2.5) and Houston to score over 23.5 points, with the best price tags currently available at DraftKings. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
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Bengals vs Texans Odds
| Bengals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -102 | 46.5 -105o / -115u | +120 |
| Texans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -118 | 46.5 -105o / -115u | -142 |
Bengals vs Texans NFL Week 2 Preview
Bengals Betting Preview: Don't Be Fooled
The Bengals managed to cover the spread last week against the Buccaneers, but their final score was highly deceptive. Cincinnati was the beneficiary of 22 expected points off three fluky Baker Mayfield lost fumbles.
If you look at the down-to-down metrics, the Bengals defense was absolutely pathetic, allowing a 65% success rate to the Bucs.
The one major bright spot for the Bengals, however, is the offensive line, which has been a troublesome area throughout the Joe Burrow era.
This looks like the best pass-protecting unit Burrow has ever had, allowing just seven pressures on 37 dropbacks.
Burrow is a lethal 17-6 against the spread (ATS) as an underdog of 2.5 points or more, and his ceiling remains at an MVP level when kept clean.
Texans Betting Preview: Positive Signs from Stroud
Houston’s offense looked incredibly explosive last week.
The much-maligned C.J. Stroud pushed the ball vertically against the Bills, and David Montgomery brought a whole new dynamic to Houston's rushing attack. Stroud went 26-for-38 passing for 274 yards and two touchdowns, routinely hitting chunk plays to Nico Collins, Jaylin Noel, and Dalton Schultz. Montgomery totaled three touchdowns and 79 all-purpose yards.
Defensively, if the Texans' front four can consistently get home against Burrow, they will do what they do best: force turnovers and set up short fields.
This is basically a must-win game for the Texans early in the season, especially now that they reside in a competitive AFC South.
Bengals vs Texans Prediction, Betting Analysis
I like the Texans -2.5 here, but I absolutely love the Texans Team Total Over 23.5.
Given Burrow's strong track record as an underdog and the fact that he finally has a competent offensive line, I don't necessarily want to put all my chips on fading him for a full 60 minutes.
Instead, I want to fade this Cincinnati defense. The Bengals were carved up by Tampa Bay on a down-to-down basis last week, and Stroud has the offensive firepower to exploit them repeatedly.
I think we are going to see Houston score a bunch of points in this game.
Pick: Texans -2.5 (-115) | Texans Team Total Over 23.5 (-120)
