Week 2 NFL Sunday Night Football Odds: Bears vs. Titans

On Sunday, September 15, the Chicago Bears face the Houston Texans in an exciting battle between two Playoff hopefuls that are led by young, franchise quarterbacks.

The Chicago Bears hope that rookie QB Caleb Williams can grow from his NFL season debut in Week 1. The first overall pick in the draft had a rough showing. Yet, confidence remains high in Williams and the rest of the offense.

The Houston Texans feature CJ Stroud at quarterback. He took the league by storm during his rookie season last year and the team has added even more weapons around him. Two of those weapons, Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs, both scored touchdowns in their Texans’ debuts last weekend.

Let’s dive deeper into the latest NFL odds, courtesy of the top sports betting sites, and make our Week 2 NFL Predictions for the Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans.

What Channel Is Sunday Night Football On?

• Sunday Night Football Channel: NBC and Peacock
• Sunday Night Football Time: 8:20 p.m. EST
• Sunday Night Football Announcers: Mike Tirico and Chris Collinsworth

Sunday Night Football Betting 

Keep an eye on the latest NFL odds for SNF and monitor how the lines change throughout the week.

The line opened with the Houston Texans favored by 3.5 points. At the beginning of the season, the line shot up to -5 in favor of Houston. Throughout this week, we’ve seen Houston favored as high as seven points. Currently, the spread is settling at six points in favor of the Texans.

Over that same span, Houston’s moneyline went from -185 to a high of -310. It’s come down to -275 as of publication. The Chicago Bears went from a +155 underdog to as high as +260, before settling at the current line of +225.

The Total opened at 46.5 points, went as high as 47 points, before settling at the current Over/Under of 45.5 total points.

Sunday Night Football Odds

The following Sunday Night Football odds are courtesy of ScoresandStats:

The Chicago Bears and Houston Texans have played against each other six times. Currently, the Texans have a 4-2 series advantage. Houston started off the series by winning four in a row. However, the Bears have won the last two meetings.

These two teams last played each other in September 2022, and the Bears won 23 to 20. Houston is a perfect 2-0 in home games versus the Bears.

Sunday Night Football Betting Trends

Check out the following Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans betting trends:

Bears vs. Texans Betting Trends

• Texans are 4-2 SU all-time against the Bears
• Texans are 4-1-1 ATS in six overall games
• The Under is 4-2 in this six-game series

Chicago Bears Betting Trends

• 5-2 SU in last seven games
• 2-11 SU in last 13 road games
• 2-7 SU in last nine AFC games
• 6-2 ATS in last eight games
• 1-4 ATS in last five Week 2 games
• Under is 8-3 in last 11 games
• Under is 4-2 in last six AFC South games

Houston Texans Betting Trends

• 4-1 SU in last five games
• 7-2 SU in last nine home games
• 3-13 SU in last 19 NFC games
• 3-9 ATS in last 12 games as the favorite
• Under is 7-2 in last nine Week 2 games

Sunday Night Football Predictions

Let’s take a closer look at some of the key matchups for this game as we make our NFL Sunday Night Football predictions. NFL stats are courtesy of TeamRankings and Pro Football Reference.

Bears Offense vs. Texans Defense

There wasn’t much to like about Chicago’s offense in Week 1. In fact, it was downright disgusting. Not including penalties and sacks, the team finished with 177 total yards. When you factor in the sacks, the team finished with 148 total yards. This is embarrassing to say the least.

Williams went 14 for 29 and finished with 93 passing yards. The Bears also tallied just 84 rushing yards. It got to the point where Tennessee was daring Chicago to throw the ball.

The Houston Texans’ defense was beatable in Week 1. They allowed the Indianapolis Colts to score 27 points and tally over 316 total yards on offense. However, 60 of Anthony Richardson’s 212 passing yards came on one play. Otherwise, he went 8 for 18 and 152 yards the rest of the game.

Houston was able to pressure Richardson most of the game, which included two sacks and forcing an interception. They also kept star running back Jonathan Taylor to under 50 yards rushing. Indy’s Richardson led the Colts with 56 yards rushing.

Caleb Williams is not the athlete that Richardson is. He’s a better passer, but not a better runner. I don’t see Williams rushing for more than 20 yards at the most. I also don’t see Williams having a great deal of success in his first road game of the season.

Lastly, Indy is a divisional rival to the Texans. So, these two teams play each other twice a year and know each other well. Chicago doesn’t have the same familiarity with Houston and will struggle against this Texans defense and crowd.

Texans Offense vs. Bears Defense

Looking at the stats from last week, you will see that the Bears held the Titans to 244 total yards and forced three turnovers. They harassed second-year QB Will Levis all game long and forced the young quarterback to make game changing mistakes.

That will not happen this weekend against the Texans. CJ Stroud is a Top 10 quarterback in the league and he will not succumb to the same mistakes that Levis made. In fact, Stroud will carve up this Chicago defense if they can’t get consistent pressure with just their front four.

Houston leaned on their running game last week and tallied 213 rushing yards on 40 attempts. And, yet, Stroud still put up 234 passing yards and 2 TDs on 24 completions.

Against the Titans, Chicago allowed 140 rushing yards on 26 attempts. They’re ripe for Houston’s Joe Mixon this weekend. I expect a big game from the veteran running back.

Who Wins SNF: Bears or Texans?

I can’t imagine how anyone could look at the Week 1 highlights of this Chicago offense and think they have any chance of keeping pace with Houston’s electric offense. Caleb Williams will continue to struggle. The rookie simply needs more time, reps and patience from the fans and critics.

Unfortunately, he will be in the national spotlight this Sunday night and he will get crushed by CJ Stroud’s performance.

Additionally, Houston’s ground game is going to run all over the Bears as well. Houston is 4-1-1 ATS in their six meetings against the Bears. I expect that trend to continue this weekend as they should easily cover a touchdown spread and beat Chicago in convincing fashion behind big games from Stroud and Mixon.

There’s no need to touch the Over/Under as you can win plenty with Houston’s moneyline and spread.

Bet: Houston Texans (-275), Texans -6 (-110)

Sunday Night Football Prop Bets

Check out our picks for the best Bears vs. Texans Game and Player Prop bets:

Joe Mixon Anytime Touchdown

Joe Mixon’s debut with the Texans couldn’t have gone any better. He finished with 159 rushing yards on 30 carries and scored a touchdown.

Chicago gave up a rushing touchdown last weekend to the Titans, an inferior offense to Houston, and is highly susceptible against the run game. This Chicago defense won’t be able to contain both Stroud’s passing and Mixon’s ground game.

I fully expect Mixon to pick up at least one rushing touchdown in what should be a very fruitful game for the Houston offense.

Bet: Joe Mixon Anytime Touchdown (-138)

Caleb Williams Passing Yards

• Over 219.5 yards (-110)
• Under 219.5 yards (-110)

Last week, the Texans allowed Anthony Richardson to throw for 212 yards. Additionally, Williams only threw for 93 yards against the Titans.

Yes, Williams has all of the tools to be a successful quarterback in the NFL. However, expectations need to be tempered here as he’s clearly not at that point yet.

Until Williams actually throws for over 200 yards, there’s no way I can possibly back the Over here. In fact, I believe we’re getting great value with the Under at just -110 odds.

I don’t see Williams even coming close to the 200-yard passing mark. If anything, Chicago will need to control the clock to keep Houston’s offense on the sidelines. For that to happen, they need to establish the run game and put Williams into a game-clock manager, not rely on the rookie to win the game.

With that said, take the Under.

Bet: Under 219.5 yards (-110)

Joe Mixon Receiving Yards

• Over 17.5 yards (-110)
• Under 17.5 yards (-110)

In addition to Mixon’s impressive rushing performance, he also tallied 19 receiving yards on three receptions. Against the Titans, Chicago allowed the Tennessee running backs to finish with 23 yards on seven receptions.

The difference between Mixon and Tennessee’s running backs (Spears and Pollard) is that the former has CJ Stroud and three impressive receivers. The Titans have an inferior quarterback at this stage in their careers. So, Chicago was able to smother the Tennessee offense and QB Will Levis. They won’t be able to do that against Houston.

With Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell stretching the field, Stroud will have plenty of opportunities to dump the ball off to Mixon underneath. I’m taking the Over for this prop bet.

Bet: Over 17.5 yards (-110)

Joe Mixon Rushing Yards

• Over 66.5 yards (-110)
• Under 66.5 yards (-110)

As mentioned, Mixon had a massive day on the ground against the Colts in Week 1. He tallied 159 rushing yards on 30 carries. I doubt we see the same volume as last weekend, but he should easily flirt with another 100-yard performance against this suspect Chicago run defense.

The Bears gave up 140 rushing yards to the Titans even though QB Will Levis wasn’t a threat to beat them in the passing game. This week, Stroud is a massive threat to beat them in the passing game which means they will have to drop more defenders into coverage.

This will allow Houston to find more running lanes and get four to five rushing yards per carry with a soft box. I like for Mixon to run all over the Bears and reward his fantasy owners for believing.

Bet: Over 66.5 rushing yards (-110)

Joe Mixon Rushing Attempts

• Over 17.5 attempts (-105)
• Under 17.5 attempts (-125)

If you subtract the six rushing attempts that went to Levis and receiver Trey Burks, the Tennessee running backs finished with 20 carries in the game versus the Bears.

Against the Colts, Mixon had 30 of the 33 rushing attempts by Houston running backs. So, if Tennessee’s duo of Pollard and Spears can combine for 20 carries and 103 rushing yards against Chicago, then Mixon should be able to hit those numbers all by himself.

I expect a game-MVP performance from Mixon on Sunday night.

Bet: Over 17.5 rushing attempts (-105)

Caleb Williams Completions

• Over 20.5 (-120)
• Under 20.5 (-110)

In his first NFL game, Williams finished with 14 receptions. I think he will be fortunate to surpass this mark on Sunday. First reason is the fact that Houston held Indy’s Richardson to just nine completions.

Second, this will be Williams’ first road game in Houston’s home opener. Third, Chicago needs to establish the run to try and win the Time of Possession battle, which they can’t do if they’re throwing the ball 30 times in a game.

Fourth, Williams’ accuracy isn’t where it needs to be. I expect more throwaways, hurried throws, and interceptions this weekend against a hungry Texans defense.

Bet: Under 20.5 completions (-110)

Best Bets For Sunday Night Football

The best bets for Sunday Night Football are as follows:

• Houston Texans (-275)
• Joe Mixon Over 66.5 rushing yards (-110)
• Caleb Williams Under 219.5 passing yards (-110)

I don’t see a scenario, other than injuries to both Stroud and Mixon, where Houston loses this game. They have the better offense, defense, coaching, and quarterback. It will be their home opener and Williams first game on the road. This is a recipe for a double-digit win by the Texans.

I’m a big believer in Joe Mixon this weekend. I think he’s going to have another big performance. Sure, it might not be 150+ rushing yards on 30 carries, but it could easily be 100+ rushing yards and two TDs on 20 carries. Chicago’s defense won’t be able to stop Mixon and the Houston rushing attack.

I was never a fan of Caleb Williams at USC. And, I’m not really a fan of his in the NFL. However, I do recognize that he has all the tools to become a top-notch QB in the NFL. Unfortunately, that time isn’t now.

The Bears are going to be outgunned at Houston this weekend and Williams is going to be at the center of a struggling offense for the second consecutive week. There’s only so much that Chicago’s defense can do. Eventually, it will break and Houston will pull away.

Until Williams can consistently prove he’s got the speed and timing down of NFL defenses, I don’t see his struggles ending. Take the Under on most of Williams’ player prop bets.  et Nacua will be the benefit of these passes. The talented receiver averaged 87.4 receiving yards per game last year along with 181 receiving yards in the Wild Card game against the Lions.

Sunday Night Football Schedule 

Sunday Night Football Record

The following list is of each team’s all-time record on Sunday Night Football. This also includes postseason games as well: