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Bears vs. Texans Betting Preview
Chicago Bears Betting News, Analysis
The good news for Chicago is that its defense, which finished 2023 as one of the best in the league, was able to smother Will Levis and the Tennessee offense. The Titans gained just 244 yards on 61 plays a week ago, and the Bears also forced three turnovers, including one that Tyrique Stevensen returned 43 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
The Bears face a much tougher test against Stroud and the Texans, though. A year after Houston struggled to run the football, DeMeco Ryans’ team wore down a solid Colts front seven in Week 1, with 40 carries for 213 yards, including a 159-yard day by Mixon.
A merely average Texans running game would make this offense, which already features one of the promising passing attacks in the league, that much harder to stop in 2024 — and based on Week 1, the Houston ground game is going to be a force this season.
The Texans’ balance — they finished the win over Indy with 200-plus yards both rushing and passing — means Chicago will need to be lights-out defensively to have a chance in this game.
To keep pace with Houston, the Bears offense will also need to step up on the road in a big way after it struggled against Tennessee last week. Williams could be in for a long night, especially if the Bears are without receivers Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (knee), who are both questionable.
Houston Texans Betting News, Analysis
The Houston defense had an up-and-down day against Indy QB Anthony Richardson and the Colts last Sunday. Richardson only managed to complete nine of his 19 passes, but he was able to beat Houston deep a few times, including two TD passes of 50-plus yards.
After holding Jonathan Taylor to 48 yards on 16 carries in Week 1, the Texans have a great chance to stifle D’Andre Swift and the Chicago running game and thus put Williams under a ton of pressure.
With what should be a raucous crowd in a showcase game for one of the biggest surprises of 2023, don’t be surprised if Will Anderson Jr. and former Viking Danielle Hunter are able to make this a long night for Williams, the much-hyped No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Texans offense has a tougher matchup against Chicago, but there are enough weapons at Stroud’s disposal that he should be able to move the ball effectively, especially if Houston can run the ball even close to as well as it did a week ago in Indianapolis.
Bears vs. Texans Prediction, Best Bets
Williams and the Bears are going to have their moments this season, but Sunday night is going to be all about Stroud and the Texans.
Chicago’s offense would have an uphill climb in this game at full strength, and the possibility of Allen and/or Odunze being sidelined or limited will be too much for Williams and Co. to overcome against one of the best teams in the AFC.
Bears vs. Texans Best Bets
- Houston -6.5 (-105 at ESPN BET)
- Bears Team Total Under 19.5 (-106 at FanDuel)
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