Joe Burrow battles through injury as Cincinnati’s elite playmakers look to exploit a vulnerable Houston secondary and propel the trendy Bengals to a dominant 2-0 start.
The Cincinnati Bengals face off with the Houston Texans in Week 2, traveling to Houston for their first and maybe toughest road game of the entire season.
The Texans fell in Week 1 to the Buffalo Bills after giving up a late touchdown to Josh Palmer, thrown by Josh Allen. Houston is expected to be a playoff team this season, so they'll have plenty of motivation not to start 0-2; however, they're facing one of the trendiest teams in the NFL, as Cincinnati played complementary football to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1.
Here are my bold predictions for Cincinnati’s Week 2 game against the Texans:
Joe Burrow eclipses 300 passing yards
Burrow threw for 254 yards against the Buccaneers in Week 1, and you just felt like there was more in the tank. Both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins had quiet games and are due for a bounceback. The Texans gave up over 300 passing yards in Week 1, so if the offensive line can keep Burrow upright, he may be able to pick apart the Texans' secondary.
Burrow’s health is a concern, as it emerged today that he was limited at practice after taking a hard hit to his throwing shoulder against the Bucs. Burrow reassured the media that he was fine and would play on Sunday, and that he was just struggling with some back tightness.
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combine for 225 or more receiving yards
This goes hand in hand with Burrow’s prediction. Again, Chase and Higgins had a quiet Week 1, combining for five catches and 71 yards.
The Bengals have a much better receiving corps than the Bills, whose D.J. Moore and Khalil Shakir combined for 150 yards. Tight end Dalton Kincaid also had a career game, posting five catches for 130 yards.
The Texans' defense could adjust and overcorrect, but after Week 1, their secondary may have deficiencies.
Cashius Howell posts two sacks
Howell led the team in pressures in his rookie debut, as it’s becoming clear that Dexter Lawrence’s impact will be felt often, indirectly. The game-wrecking plays will come, but Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen, Myles Murphy, and Howell all benefited from his interior impact.
Al Golden said at the end of training camp that the Bengals “hit” on taking Howell before he ever played a regular-season snap, and he proved him right in Week 1. Look for Howell to capitalize in Week 2.
