Six things to know about Bengals-Texans

• With a win tonight, the Bengals will extend their franchise-best start and become the 29th team in NFL history to start 9-0.

• In his past two starts, Houston running Alfred Blue is averaging 105.5 yards per scrimmage and one touchdown.

• Cincinnati running Giovani Bernard has scored seven of his 17 career touchdowns in his seven primetime games.

• The Texans lead the NFL in third-down defense, holding opponents to a 26.7 percent (27 of 101) conversion rate.

• The Bengals are 11-20 on Monday Night Football, but they are 8-4 at home where they have a current two-game winning streak with victories against Pittsbrugh (2013) and Denver (2014).

• Houston defensive end J.J. Watt (65.5 career sacks) needs one sack to pass Derrick Thomas for the second-most in a player’s first five years in NFL history (Reggie White’s is first with 81).

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