HOUSTON — Buoyed by a second consecutive strong defensive effort on the road, the Cincinnati Bengals churned out a 22-13 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday at NRG Stadium.

One week after limiting the Saints to one touchdown in New Orleans, the Bengals (7-3-1) kept the Texans’ offense out of the end zone.

Cincinnati’s defensive might, particularly in the fourth quarter while clinging to a one-possession lead, served as a perfect complement to the two-headed ground attack fashioned by running backs Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill, plus a career day from fourth-year receiver A.J. Green.

Green finished with 12 receptions for 121 yards while serving as the primary threat for quarterback Andy Dalton (24-for-35, 233 yards, one touchdown, one interception). Bernard and Hill combined for 35 carries, 132 yards and a touchdown.

The Texans (5-6) amassed just 248 total yards and only 64 on the ground after rushing for 213 yards the previous week in a win at Cleveland. Houston quarterback Ryan Mallett finished 21 of 45 for 189 yards.

A pair of interceptions, one from each quarterback, swung momentum in contrasting directions in the third quarter.

On the first play from scrimmage out of the intermission, Mallett had his errant toss toward receiver Keshawn Martin picked off by Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga. Cincinnati capitalized on the short field and needed just six plays to cover 22 yards, with Hill barreling in from the 2-yard line for a touchdown that extended the Bengals’ lead to 16-3 with 11:48 left in the third quarter.

Just over four minutes later, Dalton returned the favor, staring down Green on third down and delivering a ball that Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph snagged and returned 60 yards for a touchdown. Joseph effectively wove his way through potential tacklers and received a key downfield block from safety D.J. Swearinger, whose pressure on Dalton helped force the hurried throw that yielded the interception.

The teams traded field goals following methodical drives before the Bengals produced those two decisive defensive stops in the fourth.

NOTES: With his first catch of the game, Texans WR Andre Johnson moved into 10th place on the NFL all-time list with 983rd career receptions. Johnson, who entered play tied with Randy Moss, managed just three catches for 36 yards against Cincinnati. … Bengals RT Andre Smith departed with a left arm injury midway through the first quarter and did not return. Smith was inactive each of the previous two games due to an ankle injury. … Texans CB Johnathan Joseph recorded his first interception of the season against his former team and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. Joseph spent five seasons with the Bengals before signing with the Texans in 2011. … Bengals WR A.J. Green recorded a career-high 12 receptions for 121 yards. Green entered play with just 29 receptions this season after having missed three-plus games due to injury.