Showing no ill effects from the lingering calf issue that clearly hampered him early in the season, Joe Burrow has put together back-to-back outstanding efforts since the Bengals week 7 bye. He was 31 of 44 last week for a season-high 348 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-18 victory over the Bills on Sunday Night Football.

But as good as Burrow was on Sunday, Houston’s C.J. Stroud was better, completing 30 of 42 passes for a rookie-record 470 yards and five touchdowns. Stroud has 14 touchdowns against just one interception this season and is the runaway leader on the NFL Rookie of the Year odds lists. The former Ohio State QB, who was selected second overall behind Bryce Young, has lead the Texans to a 4-4 mark to this point. They were 3-13-1 last season.

The Bengals have always had their hands full against the Texans as they are just 5-8 all-time. The Bengals won their last meeting 37-31 in 2020, which snapped a three-game head-to-head slide. Cincinnati is on a 20-5 ATS streak against strong passing teams and are 6-1 ATS in their last seven November games at home. Houston is just 6-19 ATS in their last 25 road games against teams with winning records.