Value of Things: In the rearview mirror

Of course, we will also do our customary good, bad, and ugly along with our special look at C.J. Stroud . The scoreboard says it was a 20-6 game, but watching it live and the numbers in the aftermath says it was a lot closer than what the final score would indicate. These games are usually decided by a play here and a key decision there. We will get to those as well.

So, let's get this straight. The Texans had more yards than the Bengals. They possessed the ball for more plays than the Bengals. They had more first downs than the Bengals. They got into the red zone more often than the Bengals (called penestrations back in the good ole days). They didn't turn the ball over. Yet, somehow did they not only lose, but they got blown out on the scoreboard. The Texans have gained 755 yards of total offense and have produced 37 points. That is over 20 yards per point scored. We are going to keep a look at that number throughout the season as it the highest sum in the league and a good predictor of team success.

Will Anderson got paid a lot of money to play football this offseason and he showed up to play football on Sunday. He was second on the team with eight tackles including multiple tackles for loss in the running game. He also added his first sack of the season. Anderson and Danielle Hunter both got to Joe Burrow and Burrow was harassed all game including on his two touchdown passes. Those were plays that superior players make. The second touchdown had some shaky defense from Reed Blankenship , but it was still a good play where Burrow was chased and narrowly avoided the rush.