Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Location: Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX
Network: CBS
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Burrow: START, QB1
Much more fantasy production was expected out of the Bengals’ offense considering it was the only game with an implied total over 50, but Joe Burrow didn’t have to do much thanks to the defense. No need to panic, but unless the Texans defense has truly turned into a pumpkin just in time for PSL season, Burrow likely has another low-ceiling performance. He still ranks inside my top 12 QBs for the week, though as Josh Allen showed that elite talent can hang some video game numbers on this stout Houston defense.
Running Back
Chase Brown: START, RB2
Maybe it was because Josh Allen was going HAM, but the Texans only allowed 9.9 fantasy points to James Cook in Week 1. Chase Brown didn’t necessarily go off in Week 1 either, but he was able to get in the end zone and total 22 opportunities, remaining the Bengals Bellcatcow. Volume keeps him startable, but it’s a tougher matchup than he’ll have most weeks.
Wide Receiver
Ja’Marr Chase: START, WR1
Tee Higgins: START, WR2
Andrei Iosivas: SIT
If you’re worried about Ja’Marr Chase, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn. Even the best of the best have these random outlier games, and Chase has a history of putting up stinky outliers in Week 1s. Incredibly frustrating, but he’s still arguably the best receiver in the league. Tee Higgins saw a solid six targets but just came down with three. He did outpace Chase in first-read targets, which tells me nothing more than Higgins is still a very real part of this offense. Both remain in their usual status: top three receiver for Chase, and a high-end WR2 for Higgins.
Tight End
Mike Gesicki: SIT
Yes, he scored a TD. No, I don’t think he’ll ever out-target both Chase and Higgins in a game ever again.
Defense/Special Teams
Cincinnati Bengals: SIT
A solid Week 1 performance thanks to some silly Baker Mayfield turnovers, but there are several other defenses I’d rather start this week.
Houston Texans
Quarterback
C.J. Stroud: SIT, QB2 (Startable in Superflex)
Week 1 was a typical Stroud-er-coaster. Yeah. I said it. C.J. Stroud threaded the needle for a 12-yard score to Nico Collins with less than a minute left in the first half for one of his two touchdown passes. With the Texans down five, Stroud appeared to be heading for his third. With 30 seconds left in the game, Stroud hit Jaylin Noel with a 35-yard strike to get Houston into the red zone. Three plays later…. Stroud was strip sacked for the second time of the game, resulting in the game-clinching turnover for the Bills. Do I want to start Stroud? No. Can you? Sure.
Running Back
David Montgomery: START, RB2
Woody Marks: SIT
Volume is KING. David Montgomery was inefficient, unexplosive, and barely made it a yard after he was hit. But none of that matters when you get 23 total opportunities, including five carries inside the five. Monty is now on pace for 51 touchdowns on the season after scoring three on Sunday (kidding… kind of). WoodyMarks did get 10 opportunities of his own, but Montgomery is easily the heavy side of this rotation, also claiming 56.3% of third down snaps and 100% of the red zone carries.
Wide Receiver
Nico Collins START, WR2
Kayshon Boutte: SIT
Xavier Hutchinson: SIT
If Houston had a better quarterback, Nico Collins would easily be a top-5 fantasy option on a weekly basis. He was fed his normal 10 targets, but 0.3 YAC/rec isn’t going to cut it. He’s the guy for Stroud as 10 first-read targets suggest. Volume keeps Collins a borderline WR1/high end WR2.
…as long as he plays. Seemingly out of nowhere, we got news on Wednesday that Collins is nursing a hamstring injury. Ugh. If he were to miss Sunday’s contest, both of Kayshon Boutte and Xavier Hutchinson would be risky FLEX options. Boutte would be the boom/bust option, while Hutchinson would be the option with the safer floor as the slot receiver. I wouldn’t be racing to start either as more than a borderline WR3/4, and Jaylin Noel would still be a firm sit.
Tight End
Dalton Schultz: tHe gLoB
Eight Targets. Four Receptions. 35 yards.
That’s a textbook member of tHe gLoB.
(If Collins misses Sunday, Schultz would enter streamer status with a projected boost in volume).
Defense/Special Teams
Houston Texans: STREAMER
I had to drop this usually-elite unit to streamer status due to offensive talent in Cincy and the way they got waxed at home to the Bills, but I think they’ll be fine. Another shellacking and allowing 420 yards of total offense, and then I’ll start to worry.