Zeroes
Pass Rush
Where was the pressure on C.J. Stroud? The Bengals only brought the rookie quarterback to the ground one time and only hit him four times. Sam Hubbard wasn't active for the game due to an injury but Trey Hendrickson (who also got hurt at the end of the game) had just one hit on Stroud and half a sack. Logan Wilson had the other half sack.
The Bengals pass rush had been looking pretty dang good during their win streak but it was weak on Sunday. It needs to improve if this team wants to get in the playoff picture.
Secondary
As I mentioned in Cam Taylor-Britt's section, the Bengals secondary had a rough day at the office. Stroud cooked them to the tune of 356 yards and a touchdown and Noah Brown was making big plays all afternoon long. The Texans receiver had 172 yards off of seven catches and averaged 24.6 yards per catch.
The Houston Texans offense recorded 17 explosive plays today against the Bengals. Tied for 4th-most explosive plays by an offense in an NFL game since 2000.
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) November 12, 2023
Chidobe Awuzie had a particularly bad day and Nick Scott isn't gaining favor with Bengals fans. Taylor-Britt and D.J. Turner were about the only positives from this group on Sunday.
Cam Taylor-Britt says Bengals secondary got beat "cheap and deep" by Noah Brown (9 catches, 172 yards) can't happen going forward. pic.twitter.com/lMZNbz73EP
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) November 12, 2023