HOUSTON — The Bengals opened the season by forcing four turnovers, protecting Joe Burrow and doing something they have frequently forgotten is permitted in September: winning their first game.

Doing it again Sunday will be a tad more difficult.

Cincinnati visits the Houston Texans Sunday in an early matchup between two teams with legitimate postseason expectations. The Bengals arrive 1-0 following a 33-27 victory over Tampa Bay, while Houston is trying to recover from a 36-31 loss to Buffalo.

The Texans allowed 409 yards against the Bills, their highest total surrendered in 23 games including the postseason. Houston also lost two linebackers during the opener, creating an obvious void for Cincinnati to attack.

Henry To’oTo’o, one of Houston’s best run defenders, was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Jake Hummel will also miss Sunday’s game with a groin injury, leaving the Texans thin and inexperienced behind an otherwise formidable defensive front.

That situation should place Chase Brown and Mike Gesicki near the center of Cincinnati’s game plan, although it would hardly be surprising if Ja’Marr Chase delivered a monster performance after being limited to two catches last week.

Of course, none of that matters if Burrow spends the afternoon running from Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.

The two Houston edge rushers combined for 27 sacks last season, the highest total by any NFL tandem. Jadeveon Clowney will miss Sunday’s game with a knee injury, but Anderson and Hunter remain capable of wrecking Cincinnati’s offensive plan on their own.

Cincinnati’s line answered its first challenge. The Bengals allowed only one sack against Tampa Bay and surrendered pressure on 21.6 percent of Burrow’s drop backs, the lowest rate in the NFL during Week 1. Amarius Mims was particularly impressive, allowing no pressures over 37 pass-blocking snaps as he rounds himself into a Pro Bowl caliber tackle.

Burrow is officially questionable after experiencing back soreness during the week, but he participated fully in Friday’s practice and is expected to start. Houston has more injury woes on offense, with star receiver Nico Collins ruled out because of a hamstring injury.

Players to Watch

• Chase Brown — Houston will play without To’oTo’o and Hummel, leaving a depleted linebacker group responsible for containing Brown. Cincinnati should use him extensively as a runner and receiver, particularly on as a receiver on checkdowns. If the Bengals remain on schedule offensively, Brown should surpass 150 total yards.
• Offensive Line — The Bengals allowed the NFL’s lowest pressure rate during Week 1, but Anderson and Hunter present a much more difficult test. Mims and Orlando Brown Jr. must prevent Houston’s edge rushers from forcing Burrow off his spot before routes develop.  If this unit holds up again this week, Burrow should find spaces to exploit against the Texans defense.
• Mike Gesicki — Gesicki opened the season with five receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown. Buffalo tight end Dalton Kincaid produced 130 yards against Houston last week, and the Texans are now even thinner at linebacker. Gesicki should find space over the middle and have opportunities to add yards after the catch.  If all goes well, expect another big game from the Bengals tight end.

Game Information

Notes

• Cincinnati is attempting to begin consecutive seasons 2-0 for the first time under Zac Taylor.
• Chase needs eight receptions to tie Carl Pickens for third in Bengals history and 38 receiving yards to tie him for fourth.
• Evan McPherson has made 16 consecutive field-goal attempts and was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after scoring 15 points against Tampa Bay.
• Collins, Clowney, Hummel and Ed Ingram are out for Houston. To’oTo’o is on injured reserve.
• Burrow and B.J. Hill are questionable for Cincinnati. Burrow practiced fully Friday and is expected to play.
• The Bengals will wear white jerseys, white pants with black stripes and black socks.

Prediction

Houston remains dangerous despite its injuries. C.J. Stroud can create plays outside structure, David Montgomery gives the Texans a reliable option near the goal line, and Anderson and Hunter can discombobulate an offensive game plan.

If the Bengals protect Burrow anywhere near as well as they did against Tampa Bay, Houston will struggle to cover everything Cincinnati can attack. Its depleted linebackers must account for Brown out of the backfield and Gesicki over the middle while the secondary deals with Chase and Tee Higgins.

Cincinnati has too many weapons to deploy against Houston’s depleted defense. Brown and Gesicki should carry the offense early, Burrow will find Chase more frequently than he did last week, and the Bengals will make enough plays late to leave Houston with a 2-0 record.

Final Score: Cincinnati 31, Houston 27