Joe Burrow vs. C.J. Stroud: Cincinnati Bengals & Houston Texans CLASH in Week 2 | Injuries, Preview

Craig Sandlin and Stone Shields preview the Bengals' Week 2 matchup with the Houston Texans as they look to improve to 2-0 for the second consecutive season.

The Bengals head to Houston on Sunday looking to move to 2-0, but they face a Texans team that showed plenty of offensive firepower despite opening the season with a 36-31 loss to Buffalo. Cincinnati, meanwhile, comes off a 33-27 victory over Tampa Bay in Week 1. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium, with CBS carrying the game.

The central matchup for Cincinnati will be Joe Burrow against Houston’s defense. Burrow threw for 254 yards and a touchdown in the opener, but the Bengals will need more production from Ja’Marr Chase, who was held to just two catches for 12 yards against Tampa Bay. Chase could see plenty of Derek Stingley Jr., one of the league’s top cornerbacks.

Protecting Burrow will be critical. Cincinnati’s offensive line allowed only one sack and produced the league’s lowest pressure rate in Week 1, according to Pro Football Focus. This week, however, the Bengals face Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, who combined for 27 sacks last season, plus Jadeveon Clowney.

There are also some important injury developments. Burrow has been limited in practice with a back issue, while Houston receiver Nico Collins missed Thursday’s practice because of a hamstring injury. Collins caught seven passes for 75 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo.

Cincinnati’s defense will have to account for quarterback C.J. Stroud, who threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in Week 1. Running back David Montgomery also scored twice on 20 carries.

For the Bengals, the formula is fairly straightforward: keep Burrow upright, get Chase involved, and prevent Houston’s offense from creating explosive plays. After a promising opening week, Sunday provides Cincinnati with an early test against a talented AFC opponent on the road.