Bengals Defeat Texans in NFL Showdown
Sunday, September 20, 2026, 1:00 PM ET · Reliant Stadium
Cincinnati Bengals 20, Houston Texans 6, final. Our NFL picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Houston Texans?
Cincinnati Bengals beat Houston Texans 20-6 at Reliant Stadium on September 20, 2026.
Who was favored in Cincinnati Bengals vs Houston Texans?
Houston Texans were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -148 (about 60% implied). The underdog won.
In a significant matchup at Reliant Stadium, the Cincinnati Bengals triumphed over the Houston Texans with a final score of 20-6. This victory marks the Bengals' third consecutive win, improving their away record to 3-0 this season, while the Texans remain winless at home, falling to 0-3. The Bengals entered the game with a record of 2-0, showcasing their strong form, whereas the Texans struggled with a 0-2 record prior to this contest.
The Bengals have demonstrated a solid scoring average of 27.3 points per game over their last ten outings, while allowing an average of 26.6 points. Their recent form includes a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where they scored 33 points, and a decisive victory over the Miami Dolphins, winning 45-21. In contrast, the Texans have averaged 26.7 points scored per game in their last ten, but their defensive struggles have seen them allow an average of 21.0 points.
At home, the Texans have a home record of 0-3 this season, which contrasts sharply with the Bengals' away success. The Bengals have now improved their away record to 3-0, demonstrating their capability to perform well on the road. The Texans' last five games reflect a record of 1-4, with their most recent loss against the Buffalo Bills, where they fell 31-36.
In terms of injuries, both teams faced significant absences. The Texans were without Collin Wright, Nate Thomas, Brevin Jordan, Jake Hummel, and Jadeveon Clowney, all ruled out for various reasons, including coach's decisions and injury concerns. The Bengals also had key players sidelined, including Josh Johnson, B.J. Hill, Ke'Shawn Williams, Landon Robinson, and Connor Lew, all out due to coach's decisions or injuries.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Texans as 3-point favorites with a total set at 45.5 points. The moneyline indicated the Texans at -148.0 and the Bengals at +124.0, reflecting the Texans' struggles and the Bengals' recent success.
The game conditions were typical for an NFL matchup, but the focus was on the performance of both teams in light of their respective records and injury statuses. Viewers were encouraged to watch for how the Bengals' offense, which has been potent in recent games, would fare against a Texans defense that has shown vulnerability. Meanwhile, the Texans needed to find a way to capitalize on their scoring opportunities to turn their season around.
Ultimately, the Bengals' victory solidifies their position in the league, while the Texans continue to seek their first win of the season.
What we said beforehand
The upcoming matchup between the Houston Texans and the Cincinnati Bengals at Reliant Stadium promises to be a compelling contest. The Texans enter this game with a home record of 0-1, while the Bengals boast an away record of 1-0. The game is set to kick off on September 20, 2026, at 17:00 UTC.
Recent form indicates that the Texans are struggling, having lost their last five games. Their most recent match was against the Buffalo Bills, where they fell 36-31. In their last five outings, they have scored an average of 22.6 points while allowing 25.4 points per game. In contrast, the Bengals are riding a wave of momentum with a winning streak of one game, having defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-27 in their last contest. Over their last five games, the Bengals have averaged 26.6 points scored and 21.2 points allowed.
The Texans have a solid home record historically, with a 9-1 record in their last ten home games, but they are currently on a one-game losing streak. They have averaged 26.7 points scored and allowed 21.0 points in those games. The Bengals, meanwhile, have a mixed away record of 4-6 over their last ten games, but they have won their last away match.
In terms of previous meetings, the block does not provide specific historical data, but the current form of both teams suggests that the Texans will be looking to turn their fortunes around against a Bengals team that has shown resilience.
Injury concerns may impact both teams. The Texans will be without Collin Wright, Nate Thomas, Brevin Jordan, Jake Hummel, and Jadeveon Clowney due to various reasons, including coach's decisions and injuries. The Bengals are also dealing with injuries, missing Josh Johnson, B.J. Hill, Ke'Shawn Williams, Landon Robinson, and Connor Lew, all listed as out for coach's decisions or injury-related issues.
The betting market reflects Houston as a favorite, with odds from DraftKings showing a spread of HOU -3. The total points over/under is set at 45.5, with both the over and under priced at -110. The moneyline odds indicate Houston at -148 and Cincinnati at 124.
Weather conditions for the game are expected to be warm, with a temperature around 91°F, a 7% chance of precipitation, and wind gusts up to 7 mph. These conditions could play a role in the game, particularly in terms of player stamina and game strategy.
Viewers should watch for C.J. Stroud leading the Texans' offense, as he has shown potential with a recent performance of 26 completions on 38 attempts for 274 yards and two touchdowns. On the other side, Joe Burrow will be key for the Bengals, having thrown for 254 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in his last outing. The performance of both quarterbacks could be pivotal in determining the outcome of this matchup.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | HOU -3 | 45.5 o -110 / u -110 | Cincinnati Bengals +124 · Houston Texans -148 |
Injury report
- Collin WrightOutCoach's DecisionHouston Texans
- Nate ThomasOutCoach's DecisionHouston Texans
- Brevin JordanOutCoach's DecisionHouston Texans
- Jake HummelOutGroinHouston Texans
- Jadeveon ClowneyOutKneeHouston Texans
- Josh JohnsonOutCoach's DecisionCincinnati Bengals
- B.J. HillOutAchillesCincinnati Bengals
- Ke'Shawn WilliamsOutCoach's DecisionCincinnati Bengals
- Landon RobinsonOutCoach's DecisionCincinnati Bengals
- Connor LewOutCoach's DecisionCincinnati Bengals
Leaders
- Passing yardsC.J. Stroud30/55, 353 YDSHouston Texans
- Rushing yardsC.J. Stroud3 CAR, 29 YDSHouston Texans
- Receiving yardsDalton Schultz12 REC, 140 YDSHouston Texans
- Passing yardsJoe Burrow20/31, 207 YDS, 2 TDCincinnati Bengals
- Rushing yardsChase Brown20 CAR, 80 YDSCincinnati Bengals
- Receiving yardsTee Higgins5 REC, 95 YDSCincinnati Bengals
Recent form
Houston Texans
Last 10: 9-1Streak L126.7 scored · 21 allowed per game5-1 at home
- L31-36vs Buffalo BillsSep 13
- W38-30vs Indianapolis ColtsJan 4
- W20-16at Los Angeles ChargersDec 27
- W23-21vs Las Vegas RaidersDec 21
- W40-20vs Arizona CardinalsDec 14
- W20-10at Kansas City ChiefsDec 8
- W20-16at Indianapolis ColtsNov 30
- W23-19vs Buffalo BillsNov 21
- W16-13at Tennessee TitansNov 16
- W36-29vs Jacksonville JaguarsNov 9
Cincinnati Bengals
Last 10: 4-6Streak W127.3 scored · 26.6 allowed per game2-2 away
- W33-27vs Tampa Bay BuccaneersSep 13
- L18-20vs Cleveland BrownsJan 4
- W37-14vs Arizona CardinalsDec 28
- W45-21at Miami DolphinsDec 21
- L0-24vs Baltimore RavensDec 14
- L34-39at Buffalo BillsDec 7
- W32-14at Baltimore RavensNov 28
- L20-26vs New England PatriotsNov 23
- L12-34at Pittsburgh SteelersNov 16
- L42-47vs Chicago BearsNov 2
Standings
| Team | Lost | Points against | Points for | Tied | Win % | Won | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 0 | 33 | 53 | 0 | 1.000 | 2 | 2-0 |
| Baltimore | 1 | 47 | 58 | 0 | .500 | 1 | 1-1 |
| Pittsburgh | 1 | 33 | 23 | 0 | .500 | 1 | 1-1 |
| Cleveland | 1 | 34 | 10 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0-1 |
| Jacksonville | 0 | 10 | 34 | 0 | 1.000 | 1 | 1-0 |
| Indianapolis | 1 | 41 | 23 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0-1 |
| Houston | 2 | 56 | 37 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0-2 |
| Tennessee | 2 | 47 | 30 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0-2 |
Box score
| Stat | Cincinnati Bengals | Houston Texans |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 12 | 22 |
| First downs passing | 9 | 15 |
| First downs rushing | 3 | 3 |
| First downs by penalty | 0 | 4 |
| Third downs | 5-15 | 5-17 |
| Fourth downs | 0-0 | 0-4 |
| Offensive plays | 59 | 78 |
| Total yards | 267 | 374 |
| Yards per play | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Drives | 13 | 13 |
| Net passing yards | 182 | 314 |
| Completions | 20/31 | 30/56 |
| Yards per pass | 5.1 | 5.2 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 0 |
| Sacks allowed | 5-25 | 4-39 |
| Rushing yards | 85 | 60 |
| Rushing attempts | 23 | 18 |
| Yards per rush | 3.7 | 3.3 |
| Red zone trips | 1-1 | 0-4 |
| Penalties | 12-78 | 9-83 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Fumbles lost | 0 | 0 |
| Defensive touchdowns | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 30:49 | 29:11 |
Win probability
Above the line favours Houston Texans, below favours Cincinnati Bengals.
Venue
- Reliant StadiumHouston, TX
- OfficialsTrawick Boger, Barry Anderson, Adrian Hill, Greg Steed, Julian Mapp, Danny Short, Glen Fucik
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