DeMeco Ryans Message on Bengals' Offense After Texans' Blowout Loss Week 2

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Houston Texans could not avoid a 0-2 start, falling 20-6 to Cincinnati Bengals at home. They moved the ball better than the score suggests, finishing with 374 total yards, but failed to score a touchdown. They went 0-for-4 on fourth down and struggled badly in the red zone.

Head coach DeMeco Ryans points to the difference in playmakers after the game.

“I think this game is very indicative of what NFL football is about. Ja’Marr Chase, one of their best players, he showed up, he made a heck of a catch, scramble drill, made another play… to get them in the end zone two times,” Ryans said.

“Their D tackle, Dexter Lawrence, was effective all day in the backfield, disrupting, making plays, right? And that’s where we gotta check ourselves.“

Chase finished with seven catches for 75 yards, and two touchdowns. His 32-yard touchdown catch came despite tight coverage from Derek Stingley Jr., while his second score came on an 18-yard connection with Joe Burrow. Cincinnati got the big plays Houston could not find.

The Texans coach stressed that players and coaches have to work together to fix the problem. Houston cannot simply rely on its previous experience of recovering from 0-2 starts.

C.J. Stroud’s Big Day Goes to Waste Again

Stroud produced the yards but couldn’t make points. He threw for 353 yards on 30-of-55 passing, yet finished without a touchdown. Dalton Schultz was excellent with a career-high 12 catches for 140 yards, but Houston still managed only six points.

David Montgomery and Woody Marks combined for just 18 yards on 14 carries. Stroud actually led Houston with 29 rushing yards. Without a consistent ground game, Cincinnati could put more pressure on Stroud and play aggressively against the passing attack.

Houston failed to capitalize on multiple red-zone opportunities.

“If you’re, call yourself a playmaker, you’re a play, where are your plays? Are you making those plays to put the Texans in position to win football games? That’s what it’ll come down to,” Ryans added.

Houston’s defense did improve from its 36-point Week 1 collapse, but Cincinnati still controlled the game when it mattered. Burrow threw two touchdowns to Chase, while the Bengals managed 85 rushing yards and converted enough key situations to protect the lead.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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