No team should ever apologize for winning a football game. The Chicago Bears didn't make it pretty against Tennessee last week, but they got the job done. Now, they must see if they can carry that momentum into a primetime matchup against the Houston Texans. Many view this team as poised for a Super Bowl run after their playoff trip last season. They have a young, ascending quarterback and a dynamic head coach. This figures to be one of the biggest challenges the Bears face all year.
The Chicago Bears face a steep test down in Houston.
Backstory:
Two teams that are inextricably linked by fate. It all came together at the end of the 2022 season. Houston beat Indianapolis on an insane last-second comeback to hand Chicago the #1 overall pick in the 2023 draft. They would trade that pick to Carolina for a haul, including D.J. Moore, Darnell Wright, and Tyrique Stevenson. Carolina would then take Bryce Young #1, paving the way for the Texans to secure C.J. Stroud. Now the two teams who helped each other turn around their fortunes get to meet on the field.
Injuries:
WR Keenan Allen (heel) - Rome Odunze is already dealing with an MCL sprain that will likely sideline him for this contest. Now Allen has missed two straight practices with a heel issue. He played in the game last week with the ailment, but it's uncertain whether he aggravated it or not. His not being available would make life more difficult for Caleb Williams, who is trying to bounce back from his disappointing debut against Tennessee.
TE Dalton Schultz (ankle) - Everybody talks about Nico Collins and Tank Dell. Not enough realize how important Schultz was to Houston's offense last season, especially on 3rd down and in the red zone. It appears he will miss the game with this ankle problem, putting more pressure on other players to pick up the slack. That may allow the Chicago Bears to shift their coverages to other dangerous targets.
Key matchups:
CB Jaylon Johnson vs. WR Nico Collins - Make no mistake. Stroud has a favorite target, and that's Collins. The receiver was targeted 108 times last season and eight more in the opener. He is the spark of the Texans' passing game. Houston was 1-4 last year when he was held to 50 yards or less. Johnson is one of the best corners in the league. If he can hold Collins down, it gives the Bears a great chance.
EDGE Daniel Hunter vs. OT Darnell Wright - Protecting Williams is pivotal for the Bears. Houston's pass rush wasn't overwhelming last week, but Hunter made his presence like always. Blocking him falls at the feet of Wright. The two met twice last season when Hunter was with Minnesota. Wright didn't allow a sack but did allow six pressures. Whoever wins this battle will likely dictate the flow of the game.
X-factors:
RB Joe Mixon - The biggest reason for Houston's opening day win over Indianapolis was Mixon cracking 150 yards on the ground. It was surprising when Cincinnati traded the former Pro Bowler. That decision already looks like a bad one. The Texans didn't have much of a ground presence last year. Mixon can change that. They were 7-1 last season when they topped 100 yards rushing in a game.
EDGE Montez Sweat - Pass protection was an issue for Houston last week, and right tackle Tytus Howard was at the center of it. He has not looked right. In his last 283 snaps between last season and now, he's allowed 21 pressures and two sacks. That could prove a big issue with Sweat coming to town. He lines up almost exclusively against the right tackle and had three pressures last week despite near-constant double teams.
Prediction: Texans win 24-20
It should be a better day for Williams at quarterback, but the Chicago Bears offense is still a work in progress. While their defense is unquestionably good, Houston has too many weapons and the home-field advantage. Everything hinges on whether they can unsettle Stroud. He is the engine that drives the entire Texans apparatus. Take him out of his game, and they may have a shot.
