Texans vs. Bengals: Full Cincinnati Game Preview

Already perhaps one of the league's most talked-about teams, the Cincinnati Bengals head to prime time again in Week 10 for a Monday Night Football encounter with the Houston Texans.

Call it quite a different vibe around this Bengals-Texans matchup. In recent years, Houston had knocked off Cincinnati when it mattered most, but this time there's little doubt that the Bengals can take down a beatable adversary.

After all, the Bengals sit at a franchise-best 8-0 start and with remarkable health. Houston is quite the opposite at 3-5 with a laundry list of an injury report.

Still, these Texans look dangerous because they're still alive in the playoff hunt thanks to residing in what may be one of the worst divisions in history, the AFC South.

Within, let's take an all-encompassing look at the showdown.

Week 9 Results and Recap

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Dalton threw three touchdowns last week.

AFC North Standings

Team	W	L
Bengals	8	0
Steelers	5	4
Ravens	2	6
Browns	2	7

Last week there was a bit of hesitation around these Bengals as they entered Thursday Night Football against the Cleveland Browns.

One year ago, Cincinnati entered a similar situation, only to take a home loss at the hands of the Browns.

Not this time.

The Bengals blew the Browns out of the water in 31-10 fashion behind three touchdown passes from Andy Dalton, who connected with tight end Tyler Eifert for each one. Cleveland put together an interesting scoring drive before halftime, but Johnny Manziel was sacked three times, and Cleveland running backs managed just 38 rushing yards.

It was another dominant display in all facets for the Bengals, while others in the division floundered or dealt with injuries. At this point, discussing the division isn't really necessary. Cincinnati is running away with the AFC North.

News and Notes

Frank Victores/Associated Press

Cedric Ogbuehi is practicing this week.

Bengals Are Getting Healthier

For the Bengals, getting Vontaze Burfict back two weeks ago was just the beginning.

This week, even rookie offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi is back in the fold at practice after starting the season on the non-football injury list.

“I’m just ready to get the rust out and get out there and start moving around and getting comfortable,” Ogbuehi said, according to Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "It’s been a long time, so I’m excited to get out there and just put hands on somebody just to get the rust off."

It's odd to see a team getting healthier this late in the season. Either way, the Bengals will have some roster decisions to make soon.

Texans Are Missing Their Starting Corner

Not every team can be as fortunate as the Bengals.

Take the Texans, for example. According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans won't have starting corner Kareem Jackson for the Monday contest.

It's terrible news for the Texans, who will have to lean on rookie Kevin Johnson and a hodgepodge of names to combat one of the league's deepest passing attacks.

For Dalton and Co., it's easy to figure out where to go with the football.

Dalton Receives More Praise

Speaking of Dalton, he continues to make headlines for his performance this season.

Regardless of the reason, whether it's mechanics, health of those around him or something else, Dalton has taken a sudden leap in play this year that most imagined to be impossible.

Not the Bengals, of course. Quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese spoke with ESPN.com's Coley Harvey this week about his quarterback:

"

He gets more because there's been things that haven't happened to the extent that we've wanted them to, so it's easy to pile on. And every quarterback that comes in brand-new and starts, it's geared up to break them down: You can't do this; you're not good enough; you're not this guy; you're not as good as that guy.

"

Dalton is an interesting case around the league for some of the reasons mentioned above, but most of all because he stands tall as a contradiction to the league's current ideals with quarterbacks. 

In short, he's proof that a franchise can hit gold if it actually expresses patience with the player under center instead of finding a new one every few years. 

Latest Injury News

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Andre Smith missed last week's game.

• Carlos Dunlap, DE, Questionable
• Rey Maualuga, LB, Questionable
• Andre Smith, OT, Out

The first injury report of the week comes a day later than usual thanks to Cincinnati's appearance on Monday Night Football. Until then, it's safe to presume tackle Andre Smith and others could make a brief showing on the list. Otherwise, the team remains one of the most remarkably healthy squads in the league.

Courtesy of Bengals.com.

Key Matchups

Cincinnati Offensive Line vs. Houston Defense

The Houston defense hasn't been an elite unit for most of the season, but it can still do some serious damage if left unchecked.

Go figure for a unit led by J.J. Watt, right?

Houston ranks among the top defenses against the pass this year thanks to a stout rush and a secondary that is capable of taking advantage of poor passes.

This places more pressure on a Bengals line that just let up another two sacks in Week 9 without right tackle Andre Smith. Whether it's getting the ground game going or giving Dalton enough time to get rid of the ball, the line that looked so elite over the first month or so of the season will need to have a huge day Monday night.

Cincinnati Secondary vs. Houston Wideouts

The Bengals know a thing or two about Houston quarterback Brian Hoyer, who last year led the Browns into Cincinnati for the aforementioned Thursday win.

This time around Hoyer has plenty of weapons with the Texans. Last week alone, DeAndre Hopkins caught eight passes for 94 yards and a score, and Nate Washington wasn't far behind with four for 74 and a score of his own.

It's a concerning situation for the Bengals, who at times have been prone to giving up the big play through the air. Quarterbacks in recent weeks have targeted Dre Kirkpatrick, so expect more of the same Monday night. 

If the secondary can hold strong, Cincinnati should pull away. If not, this could be a close game. 

Matchup X-Factors

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

A.J. Green and Dalton have to connect often Monday night.

Texans' X-Factor of the Week: J.J. Watt

Houston isn't receiving the publicity for its defense like it has most years, but Watt continues to disrupt at a consistent pace and make the lives of those around him easier.

In fact, he remains far and away the highest-ranked player among 3-4 defensive ends at Pro Football Focus.

For the Texans, disruption is the key to the game. Stifling the Cincinnati rushing attack would force the Bengals to the air, where Dalton could make mistakes if the pocket around him collapses.

Watt may have to do most of the work on his own, but with the way the Bengals have struggled a bit in recent weeks, that isn't out of the realm of possibility.

Bengals' X-Factor of the Week: A.J. Green

Each week it seems a different player explodes for the Bengals offense, which is nothing but a good thing.

This week it looks to be A.J. Green's turn with Houston down a starting corner. Tyler Eifert could go off again, of course, but the Houston defense has only allowed three touchdowns to the position all season, two of which came in Week 1.

In reality, the Texans don't have anyone who can cover Green on the outside. If the Houston rush starts to hit home, his ability to shake free of defenders to get open on quick-hitting plays could make difference between a night of struggles and a cruise-control performance under a national spotlight.

Prediction: Cincinnati 27, Houston 20

On paper, Cincinnati's matchup with Watt looks concerning, especially given the occasional hiccups of the offensive line over the past couple of weeks. 

Still, the above has been said a few times before Bengals games this year against various elite defenders, and the offense has compensated with short passing plays and pre-snap innovation that flusters defenders.

Expect more of the same Monday night. Houston is hurting on the offensive side of the football, and even fully healthy units have had serious problems with the Bengals this year.

Look for Dalton to have another big game as Green and the running backs run wild. The defense won't be able to stop Hopkins (nobody can), but he won't take down the Bengals on his own, especially once the Cincinnati pass rush starts hitting home.

Prediction: Cincinnati 27, Houston 20

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of November 11. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.