Bengals Hold Texans Without a Touchdown to End 65-Game Skid

Cincinnati's defense limited Houston to two field goals in a 20-6 victory, snapping the NFL's longest active streak of games surrendering a touchdown.

Cincinnati's rebuilt defensive unit delivered a milestone performance on Sunday, defeating the Houston Texans 20-6 while never permitting a touchdown. Per the Associated Press, it marked the first time since a Week 3 matchup with the New York Jets in 2022 that a Bengals opponent failed to reach the end zone.

The streak that came to a close had reached 65 straight games, which had been the longest such active run in the NFL. Buffalo now holds that distinction, with 47 consecutive games and rising.

Houston threatened often, getting inside the red zone four times, yet came away with nothing beyond a pair of field goals. Cincinnati's pass rush produced four sacks and 27 pressures over 62 dropbacks despite blitzing just 13.3 percent of the time, the lowest figure recorded by any defense that week. Boye Mafe tied a personal best with seven pressures, one of five Bengals defenders to record at least four.

The run defense conceded only 60 yards on the ground, and the Texans succeeded on five of 17 third downs. All four of Houston's fourth-down tries failed, one on a tackle for loss by Dexter Lawrence at the Cincinnati 18. Defensive coordinator Al Golden saw the showing as proof the group is forming a distinct identity.

Now 2-0, the Bengals travel to face Pittsburgh in Week 3.