Halftime Observations: Bengals Cool Off After Opening Possession, Trail Texans 10-7

Cincinnati is hoping to improve to 6-3 on the season.

CINCINNATI — The Bengals trail the Texans 10-7 at the half. 

Cincinnati started fast by scoring on their first possession of the game, but the offense has only generated two first downs since their opening drive and they've punted on four-straight possessions.

Here are our halftime observations:

Fast Start

The Bengals lost the coin toss, but got the ball to start the game because the Texans deferred. Burrow led Cincinnati on a 10-play, 75 yard drive that ended with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Trenton Irwin.

Burrow went 7-of-8 for 60 yards on the drive. He only threw for 34 more yards on the following six possessions and ended the half 14-for-18 for 94 yards.

Turnovers

The Bengals forced two turnovers in the first half. 

The Texans went for it on 4th-and-1 from Cincinnati's 11-yard line. The defense stepped up by forcing a red zone turnover for the third-straight game. 

CJ Stroud bobbled the snap and DJ Reader recovered the ball against his former team. They've forced a turnover in the red zone in each of the past three games. 

Houston was threatening again in the second quarter when Logan Wilson forced Stroud to fumble in the backfield. Mike Hilton recovered the ball at the 28-yard line.

The Bengals Will Win If...

They find a way to get going on offense. They started well on their first possession, but struggled to move the ball consistently after their opening drive. 

The defense forced a punt on the Texans opening drive, but they struggled to stop Stroud in the passing game. 

Houston converted multiple 3rd-and-longs and would have a bigger lead if they didn't have the turnovers. The Texans have more than doubled the Bengals in total yardage (273-109). 

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