The Cincinnati Bengals have started the 2026 season 2-0 with two pretty solid wins —the Buccaneers at home in Week 1 and the Texans in Houston in Week 2, the latter by a score of 20-6.
The Bengals’ defense put on a show in Houston, keeping the Texans out of the end zone for the entire game. Houston converted just 5/17 third-down attempts and was completely stonewalled on fourth down, going 0/4.
Even though Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combined for nearly 200 receiving yards and two touchdowns—both scored by Chase—the defense won the day. Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe and the rest of Al Golden’s rebuilt unit were outstanding, and the Bengals now sit alone atop the AFC North heading into Week 3.
Next up, the Bengals head to Pittsburgh to open division play against the 1-1 Steelers. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Cincinnati opened as a 3.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 43.5 points.
The Steelers defeated the Falcons 20-13 in Week 1 before traveling to Foxborough and losing to the Patriots 20-3 in Week 2.
Now, Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, and the Steelers’ offense will have to find a way to keep pace with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and the rest of Cincinnati’s offense—all while dealing with Dexter Lawrence and a Bengals defensive front that just made life miserable for the Texans.
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