The Texans are 2.5-point home favorites over the Bengals on Sunday, September 20, at Reliant Stadium.
My Bengals vs. Texans prediction leans Under 45.5, with Nico Collins out and Joe Burrow managing back tightness.
Houston’s defense should set the tone in a matchup that leads our NFL picks.
TOP PICK
Bengals vs Texans prediction: Under 45.5
I'm willing to take the Bengals-Texans Under down to 44.5 (50%), fading last week's results and accounting for injury concerns on both sides.
The Houston Texans lost to the Buffalo Bills 36-31 in Week 1, soaring Over the 44.5-point total, and the Cincinnati Bengals beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-27 on a 50.5-point total.
But the Over cashing in Buccaneers-Bengals is misleading because there were two defensive touchdowns in that game. Plus, Houston's defense is my favorite unit in the NFL, and I'm excusing last week's performance because Buffalo QB Josh Allen balled out, and sometimes great offense beats great defense.
Also, Texans WR Nico Collins has been ruled out for this game, and Bengals QB Joe Burrow got hurt in Week 1. Collins is Houston's only game-breaker, and Burrow missed practice Wednesday with back tightness and was limited Thursday. With no Collins and Burrow less than 100%, both offenses could struggle.
COVERS INTEL: The Texans are 11-6-1 to the Under as a home favorite since hiring head coach DeMeco Ryans in 2023. 
Bengals vs Texans combo
This combo is built around Houston's defense controlling the game. The Under 45.5 is the foundation, especially with Collins out and Joe Burrow listed as questionable.
My "Chase Brown No anytime touchdown" leg works with the Under. Houston graded as one of the NFL's best run defenses in Week 1, while Cincinnati struggled to generate push up front. Meanwhile, Collins' absence should funnel more targets toward Schultz, and Cincinnati also allowed the most receiving yards to tight ends last year.
Bengals vs Texans combo
- Under 45.5
- Dalton Schultz Over 39.5 receiving yards
- Chase Brown Anytime Touchdown: No
Bengals vs Texans touchdown scorer: 'No' for Bengals RB Chase Brown (58%)
It's pretty awesome that Kalshi allows us to take No on Cincy RB Chase Brown to score an anytime touchdown. I'm capitalizing on this opportunity because Houston's defense is nasty, and Brown has scored a touchdown in 17 of his 46 career games.
Furthermore, Pro Football Focus ranked Cincinnati's offensive line 28th in run-blocking grade in Week 1, and the Texans had the second-best run defense grade. Lastly, this prop fits the script I've written for this game, which is a low-scoring affair.
- Top picks: 0-4, -4.00 units
- Combos: 0-4, -4.00 units
Bengals vs Texans odds
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Spread: Bengals +2.5 (51%) | Texans -2.5 (54%)
- Over/Under: Over 45.5 (53%) | Under 45.5 (52%)
- Moneyline: Bengals 44% | Texans 61%
For the full slate of NFL matchups, check out our NFL odds board!
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Bengals vs Texans weather
Weather doesn't play a factor in Houston because Reliant Stadium is climate-controlled with a retractable roof.
Check out our NFL weather page for up-to-date info on every matchup.
Bengals vs Texans trend to know
Houston is 6-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last seven games following an ATS loss. Find more NFL betting trends for Bengals vs. Texans.
How to watch Bengals vs Texans
| Location | Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas |
| Date | Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 1 p.m. ET |
| TV | CBS |
Bengals vs Texans latest injuries
Check out our NFL injuries page for updates on every team.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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