4 key matchups to watch for Bengals vs. Texans

Sep 13, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) runs on the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Cincinnati Bengals will travel to Houston this Sunday to take on CJ Stroud and a very talented defense on the other side of the ball.

That defense is coming off a performance in which they allowed 36 points against the Buffalo Bills. Will the Bengals do the same, or will the Texans bounce back?

Let's take a look at some of the key matchups in this one.

Ja'Marr Chase vs. Derek Stingley

This is a matchup of two of the best players at their respective positions. These guys are familiar with one another dating back to their LSU days. Chase is coming off a game in which he had just 2 catches for 12 yards. Stingley was credited with allowing 4 catches on 6 targets that came his way. That 66.7% completion rate is much higher than his career mark of 53.4%.

With both players looking for a better performance than in Week 1, we could be in for some fireworks.

Amarius Mims vs. Will Anderson Jr.

Anderson was able to record .5 of a sack against Buffalo during week one. He is a player who has 30 sacks through his first 3 seasons in the league. He is one of the most explosive pass rushers in all of football.

Meanwhile, Amarius Mims didn't allow a single pressure against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mims was tasked with going up against a talented rookie in Rueben Bain. While that was a fantastic performance, Anderson presents an even bigger challenge due to that aforementioned explosiveness.

This titanic battle could go a long way in deciding which team comes out on top this weekend. It is important to note that the Texans will move their defensive ends around. Even when Mims is not facing Anderson, he will be going up against talented pass rushers like Danielle Hunter and Jadeveon Clowney for the Texans.

Amarius Mims vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers pic.twitter.com/ehyW38iwIP

- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 14, 2026

Texans running backs vs. Bengals linebackers

Not a one-to-one direct matchup, but the running game of the Texans against the run defense of the young Bengals linebacker is a key matchup in this one for me. Barrett Carter looked like an improved player from his rookie season.

However, he did still record 3 missed tackles. Demetrius Knight Jr. also recorded 3 missed tackles against Tampa Bay. They did combine for 15 tackles, with Carter adding half a sack on a play that Knight scooped and scored on. Carter would then go on to force a fumble at the goal line on Baker Mayfield, which was recovered in the end zone by Bryan Cook.

The young Bengals linebackers will need to make sure they do not allow David Montgomery and Woody Marks to run wild this week. Montgomery finished Week 1 with 3 total touchdowns. He rushed for 60 yards and added another 19 receiving yards to go with it.

Woody Marks was also able to rush for 42 yards against the Bills.

Dexter Lawrence vs. Texans interior 0-line

Lawrence didn't stuff the stat sheet in Week 1, but he was all over the revamped Bengals defense. He was second on the team with 3 pressures during the game, and should have drawn several holding penalties against the Buccaneers offensive line. One of those non-penalties was when he almost had a sack on Mayfield, before Mayfield ultimately had the ball knocked loose by Barrett Carter.

The Texans interior offensive line consists of Keylan Rutledge, Evan Brown, and Ed Ingram. Those three players will all take turns having their hands full with trying to slow down Dexter Lawrence. Lawrence's impact will continue to free up his teammates, but I imagine Lawrence is hoping that this is the week he gets to unleash the Sexy Dexy dance for a sack celebration after coming so close during the first week.

Dexter Lawrence vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Lawrence's impact will not always show on the box score, but this is absolutely a difference maker on defense. pic.twitter.com/5ccswD2BDK

- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) September 15, 2026