Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears Picks and Predictions September 15th 2024

On Sunday, September 15th, the Texans will host the Bears at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Texans are the heavy favorite with money line odds of -299, and the point spread favors them by -6.5 points. The game is set to kick off at 8:20 ET and will be televised on NBC. The over/under line is at 45.5 points.

Chicago vs. Houston Key Information

• Teams: Bears at Texans
• Where: NRG Stadium Houston
• Date: Sunday, September 15th
• Betting Odds HOU -299 | CHI +243 O/U 45.5

The Bears Can Win If…

The Bears were down 17-0 heading into the 4th quarter, but they made a big comeback, outscoring the Titans 24-0 in the 4th quarter to win 24-17. Chicago’s comeback started with a safety in the 3rd quarter and was capped off by a defensive touchdown with 7:45 remaining in the 4th. Chicago also added three field goals in the 4th quarter.

Chicago’s comeback was fueled by their defense, as they forced turnovers and didn’t allow the Titans to score in the 2nd half after a tough start. Chicago’s win came in a non-conference matchup, and they were the favorite at -4, with the over/under line set at 43 points. The Bears’ win brought their record to 1-0.“`

The Bears’ offense managed just 11 first downs and 244 total yards in their 24-17 win over the Titans. Chicago struggled to run the ball, gaining only 84 yards on 22 attempts. Quarterback Caleb Williams completed 14 of 29 passes for 93 yards, with no touchdowns. He was sacked twice and finished with a passer rating of 55.

D’Andre Swift was the team’s leading rusher with 30 yards, including a 20-yard run. DJ Moore led the Bears in receiving with 36 yards. The offense really struggled on third down, converting just 15.4% of their chances.

In their 24-17 win over the Titans, the Bears’ defense allowed just 104 passing yards and held Tennessee to a 3.2 yards per attempt average. Chicago’s secondary also came away with two interceptions. However, they did struggle against the run, giving up 140 yards on just 26 attempts. The Bears’ run defense will need to improve, as they allowed the Titans to average 5.4 yards per attempt on the ground. Additionally, Chicago’s defense held the Titans to a 21.4% third-down conversion rate and recorded three sacks in the game.

• Chicago has put together a record of 2-1 over their past three games. This also includes going 2-1 ATS and an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Across Chicago’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 6-4. Against the spread, Chicago went 7-2-1 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 3-7.

The Texans Can Win If…

The Texans picked up a 29-27 win over the Colts in their most recent game, despite being on the road and not covering the spread. Houston’s record is now 1-0 after their week one victory. The game was capped off by a late touchdown from Joe Mixon, giving the Texans a 36-29 lead, and the defense held off a late push from the Colts to secure the win.

Heading into the 4th quarter, the Texans were leading 29-20. C.J. Stroud had a big game for Houston, throwing for multiple touchdowns, including a late touchdown to Stefon Diggs. The over/under line for the game was 48.5, and the teams combined for 56 points.

The Texans’ offense put up 29 points in their 29-27 win over the Colts, racking up 26 first downs and 213 yards on the ground on 40 attempts. Despite four sacks, quarterback C.J. Stroud completed 75% of his passes for 234 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Stroud’s passer rating was 115.

Joe Mixon led the ground attack with 159 rushing yards, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt, and finding the endzone once. Nico Collins was the top receiver, finishing with 117 yards on six catches, including a 55-yard reception.

The Texans’ defense had a tough time stopping the run in their most recent game, giving up 104 rushing yards on just 22 attempts to the Colts. However, they still managed to come out on top, winning 29-27. Houston’s defense was strong against the pass, allowing just 199 yards through the air on 10 completions. They also picked off one pass and held the Colts to a 47.4% completion percentage.

Overall, the Texans’ defense gave up just 303 total yards in the game. They forced two sacks and held the Colts to a 50% conversion rate on third down.

• Over their last three games, the Texans have gone 2-1 straight up. In addition, their ATS record over this stretch is 2-1 while posting a 2-1 over-under mark.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Texans have gone 7-3 straight up. The team’s record vs the spread was just 5-5, in addition to an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Lean

Our pick vs. the spread is to take the Bears to cover as road underdogs in this week two matchup between the Bears and Texans. The point spread line currently sits at +6.5 in favor of the Bears, making them our pick to cover at 23-19.

As for the over/under, with the line sitting at 45.5 points, we have a slight lean towards the under with a projected combined score of 42 points.

Bears Rookie QB Caleb Williams Faces High Bar Against Texans’ C.J. Stroud

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for a critical matchup against the Houston Texans on Sunday, as rookie quarterback Caleb Williams works to rebound from a shaky debut performance. Meanwhile, Texans QB C.J. Stroud, who set the bar high for rookie quarterbacks last season, leads Houston’s offense, creating an intriguing quarterback battle in Week 2.

Bears Coach Eberflus Highlights Caleb Williams’ Progress

When asked whether Williams could follow the path of Stroud’s impressive rookie season, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus avoided direct comparisons, focusing instead on the young quarterback’s leadership and accountability.

Williams’ NFL debut in the Bears’ 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans was underwhelming. He threw for just 93 yards, posted a 55.7 passer rating, and failed to lead the offense to a touchdown. In contrast, Stroud had a standout performance in Week 1 last year, passing for 234 yards and two touchdowns with a 115.9 passer rating, as the Texans secured a narrow 29-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Bears’ Defense Leads the Way

While Williams works to find his rhythm, the Bears’ defense stepped up in Week 1, playing a crucial role in the win. Tyrique Stevenson’s 43-yard interception return for a touchdown proved pivotal, while the defense pressured Titans QB Will Levis, sacking him three times and holding him to 4.0 yards per attempt.

The Bears will need another strong defensive effort against a Texans offense that found success in Week 1. Chicago is also dealing with key injuries, as wide receivers Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (MCL strain) are both listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Caleb Williams Focused on Improvement

Despite his struggles, Williams remains optimistic and committed to improving the Bears’ offense. He acknowledged that the unit still has work to do but is focused on making strides.

The Bears failed to score an offensive touchdown in Week 1, and they will need to improve significantly if they hope to keep pace with the Texans, who displayed an efficient offensive attack in their opener.

Texans’ Offense Looks Strong Behind C.J. Stroud

The Texans (1-0) enter the Week 2 clash riding the momentum of a strong offensive performance. Stroud, who completed 20 of 28 passes for 291 yards in Week 1, showcased his command of the offense, connecting with wide receiver Nico Collins (six catches for 117 yards) and new additions Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon. Mixon rushed for 159 yards and was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week, while Diggs caught two touchdowns in the win over Indianapolis.

Though Stroud was sacked four times, he remained composed under pressure and avoided turnovers. He expressed confidence in the Texans’ potential, despite some early struggles.

Key Injuries and Player Updates

The Bears’ offensive depth took a hit, as they ruled out offensive tackle Ryan Bates (shoulder/elbow) and fullback Khari Blasingame (hand/knee). Wide receivers Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, as well as defensive end DeMarcus Walker (foot), are also listed as questionable.

The Texans will be without safety M.J. Stewart (knee), while running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) and center Juice Scruggs (groin) are questionable for the game.

What’s at Stake?

This game is a critical early-season test for both teams. The Bears are counting on Caleb Williams to continue his growth and show improvement, especially with the potential absence of key offensive weapons. Meanwhile, the Texans hope to build on the offensive efficiency that powered them to victory in Week 1, led by Stroud’s steady hand.

With both teams striving for offensive consistency, the matchup between these two young quarterbacks promises to be a must-watch contest in Week 2.