The Bengals don’t show up on the Texans’ schedule all that often, but when these two do meet, the expectation is usually a real game. That’s the backdrop for this week’s conversation with Anthony Cosenza of Cincy Jungle, who broke down what stood out in Cincinnati’s Week 1 win, what still needs cleaning up, and why Sunday’s matchup with Houston feels like a tight one.
Cosenza came away impressed by what the Bengals’ defense did against Tampa Bay. He pointed to four forced fumbles, multiple pressures and a unit that was consistently flying to the ball.
It wasn’t flawless, but he said nearly every “new guy” - whether that meant offseason additions or players stepping into bigger roles - made an impact. He also said the offensive line held up well.
The offense, though, left some room for concern. Cincinnati had to settle for four field goals, including kicks from 56 and 58 yards, and still only won by six at home despite a plus-3 turnover margin.
Asked about the newcomers who could matter on Sunday, Cosenza singled out the interior of the defensive line, with Dexter Lawrence II and Jonathan Allen still doing the heavy lifting up front. He also mentioned rookie Cashius Howell as an edge spark plug in a rotational role, while safety Bryan Cook, acquired from the Chiefs this spring, has helped steady the secondary.
On offense, he pointed to tight end Erick All Jr. and Dohnte Meyers. All’s injury history has limited him, but Cosenza said he gives the Bengals a different look and helps them run more under-center plays.
Meyers, meanwhile, has become a nice camp story and is starting to emerge as a gadget option in the back end of the receiver room. The former CFL wideout had two touches last week - one catch and one rush - and both moved the chains for big first downs.
The Joe Burrow conversation was easy. Cosenza made the case that the Bengals quarterback has already had at least a couple of seasons that could have ended with MVP hardware, only to see him win Comeback Player of the Year instead.
He called Burrow’s leadership unmistakable and praised his ability to thread throws into tiny windows and erase deficits. If Cincinnati gets back to the playoffs, Burrow stays healthy and the numbers are there, Cosenza said, he belongs on the short list.
As for how the Texans might be attacked, Cosenza said the tackling on defense was still a little sloppy, even if it had improved. That could make David Montgomery a tough assignment. He also noted how Tampa Bay found success working the middle of the field on mid-range throws to Chris Godwin, while Bucky Irving picked up good yardage on catches in the flats.
From the Bengals’ side, the focus is on more explosive plays and turning drives into touchdowns instead of settling for field goals. Ja’Marr Chase was quiet in Week 1, and Cosenza doesn’t expect that to continue, though he still sees a difficult matchup against Houston’s secondary.
As for the betting line, Cosenza said the Texans being favored by 2.5 points makes sense, even if the number has hovered closer to three at times. He understands the market: Houston is good, and there are still questions about Cincinnati’s offseason moves and those familiar early-season issues.
But he also called this a very difficult game and one of the Bengals’ few losses he expected early in the year. Either team could win, he said, and the spread feels right.
The total is what really caught his eye, though, because it seems low for two teams that combined for 64 points last week.
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For Houston, it is also a reminder of how quickly the AFC South picture can shift when a rivals defensive centerpiece is healthy. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans has already been in the position of defending C.J. Stroud after a rough outing, pointing more to defensive breakdowns than to the quarterbacks turnovers, and matchups with Indianapolis figure to carry plenty of weight if Buckner is back to anchoring that front the way the Colts expect. [Read more 🡒]