NFL Sunday Night Football Preview & Predictions: Bears vs. Texans
The Sunday conclusion to Week 2 features a matchup of last year’s rookie quarterback phenom, C.J. Stroud, against this year’s most hyped rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams.
Both the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans enter this Week 2 clash at 1-0, but while the Texans looked impressive against a divisional foe on the road, the Bears needed some inexplicable takeaways to squeak out a season-opening victory.
Which team is the one to back Sunday night? Here’s a full breakdown.
Chicago Bears at Houston Texans (-6.5) | O/U 45.5
Bears have little business being 1-0.
Listen, a win is a win in the NFL. And I’m not asking the Bears or their fans to apologize for last week’s 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans. But it’s also fair to say the Titans gave that game away.
The game’s most viral play was Will Levis’s inexplicable pick-six that gave Chicago the lead for good. But the Bears also benefitted from a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown in the third quarter. Chicago’s offense contributed just three field goals and just 148 yards (2.8 per play).
Offensive struggles are to be expected when debuting a rookie QB, and Caleb Williams’ first game in the pros left plenty to be desired. But the rookie deserves credit for not making any fatal mistakes. Perhaps more concerning was a Bears offensive line that struggled mightily against Tennessee’s front four.
Chicago’s defense was the reason they won last week, holding Levis and the passing game to just 104 yards. However, Tennessee was able to find success on the ground against the Bears, averaging 5.4 yards on 26 carries.
Making matters more difficult for Williams and the Bears is that they could be without two of their big three wide receivers, as Rome Odunze (knee) and Keenan Allen (heel) are both questionable for Sunday night.
Houston picks up where 2023 left off.
Houston’s season opener was one of the most intriguing games on the Week 1 docket for me. After an unexpectedly great season, I was curious to see how Houston handled the lofty expectations of being favored on the road against a divisional opponent after an exciting offseason. While the Texans didn’t cover (depending on the number you got), they took care of business in impressive fashion.
Stroud picked up right where he left off after his Rookie of the Year campaign, throwing for 234 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Houston’s trio of receivers produced and will surely be a headache for any defense that’s thin in the secondary. Throw in 159 yards from Joe Mixon on the ground, and Houston’s offense is going to be awfully hard to defend.
Defensively, Houston did a solid job defending one of the league’s most exciting dual-threat QBs, Anthony Richardson. The second-year QB ran for 56 yards of his own, but the Texans held Richardson to just 9-of-19 passing for 212 yards.
One concern for the Houston defense was a couple of coverage busts that led to long touchdowns. Richardson connected with Alec Pierce for a 60-yard TD early in the game before connecting with Ashton Dulin on a 54-yard toss. The Texans clearly struggled with downfield speed, but I’m not sure that’s something Chicago can exploit, especially if Odunze and Allen are hampered.
Prediction & Best Bet
My first bet when lines came out for Week 2 was the under 47 in this game. And while that number is no longer available, I still like the under in this game. The Bears offense is clearly still gelling with a rookie QB, and the offensive ceiling is even more limited if Odunze and/or Allen miss the game. I also suspect Houston’s defensive front could find success against a Bears offensive line that I’ve been down on all summer.
I do think Chicago’s defense has the depth at cornerback to adequately cover Houston’s receiving trio. However, I suspect Mixon could have a big day on the ground after Tony Pollard put up 82 yards on 15 carries in Week 1 against this Bears front.
Unlike last week, Will Levis won’t be there to give the game away. I like the Texans to cover and the under.
Best bets: Texans -6.5 and Under 45.5