In a commanding performance, the Houston Texans topped the Cincinnati Bengals 35-17 in Week 2 of the 2026 season. The victory was crucial for Houston as they look to establish momentum early in the year and assert their dominance in the AFC South. Fernando Mendoza led the way for the Texans with a stellar outing, throwing for 248 yards and three touchdowns. His connection with Jaxon Smith-Njigba was particularly lethal, as Smith-Njigba amassed an impressive 152 receiving yards, showcasing his big-play ability. Meanwhile, Rico Dowdle contributed on the ground, adding 44 rushing yards to support the Texans' balanced offensive attack. Defensively, the Texans' performance was highlighted by Nohl Williams, who made a game-changing impact with two interceptions, effectively stifling any potential Bengals' comeback. Tykee Smith also made his presence felt with three total tackles, while the Texans’ overall defensive effort limited Cincinnati's effectiveness. The turning point came in the second quarter when Williams' second pick set up another scoring drive for Houston, allowing them to pull away and maintain control throughout the contest.