Two of the most promising young quarterbacks in the NFL squared off on Sunday night, as the Houston Texans played host to the Chicago Bears. Reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud and Co. got off to a strong start to the season with a 29-27 victory over the division rival Indianapolis Colts last week, and looked to keep the good times rolling against a Bears squad that rode its defense and special teams to a 1-0 record in Caleb Williams' NFL debut.
The Texans took a surprising leap forward last season in Stroud's rookie year, winning the AFC South a year after being one of the worst teams in the NFL. The Bears are looking to do the same after landing Williams with the No. 1 overall selection in this year's draft, which they received via trade from the Carolina Panthers after trading down out of the No. 1 spot in 2023.
The Bears were shorthanded on offense, with wide receiver Keenan Allen not expected to play after dealing with a heel injury throughout the week. Williams needed to utilize players like D.J. Moore, rookie Rome Odunze (playing with an injury of his own), Cole Kmet and running back D'Andre Swift to get the offense going. Stroud, meanwhile, had a full complement of weapons -- Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Stefon Diggs, Joe Mixon and more -- against a Bears defense that has consistently been one of the best in the NFL since acquiring Montez Sweat via trade last year.
The Texans were pretty conservative on fourth downs last season, only going for it only 15.7% of the time -- ninth-lowest in the league, via Tru Media. But they went for it on fourth-and-1 early on in the game, and picked it up with a play-action pass to rookie Cade Stover in the flat. It was already their third fourth-down conversion of the season.
On Chicago's second play from scrimmage, Danielle Hunter grabbed D'Andre Swift in the backfield for a four-yard loss. On the Bears' final play of the drive, Will Anderson brought Caleb Williams to the ground for a sack, forcing a Cairo Santos field-goal attempt. Each team picked up three points on its opening drive and the game was tied 3-3.
Williams struggled badly as a passer in his NFL debut but he started this one quite well. That third-down throw to DeAndre Carter for a first down was a thing of beauty. Being able to hit a deep out to the wide side of the field is incredibly important for a quarterback and Williams did it with relative ease.
Houston was utilizing a bunch of different personnel and formations early on. On the first snap, the Texans lined up rookie tight end Cade Stover as a fullback. On third down, they moved Stefon Diggs into the backfield and Joe Mixon into the slot. On their fourth snap, it was Mixon outside and Nico Collins motioning into the backfield. OC Bobby Slowik is considered a rising star and he is already getting into his bag tonight.
The Key Matchups
All eyes will be on C.J. Stroud and Caleb Williams tonight, but of course, they won't actually be on the field at the same time. Let's talk about a few of the matchups that will decide the game:
Texans Offensive Line vs. Bears Defensive Line
The Texans have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, and they will need to be at their best to protect Stroud against a Bears defensive line that is loaded with talent. The Bears have two of the best edge rushers in the league in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
Bears Offensive Line vs. Texans Defensive Line
The Bears have a much younger and less experienced offensive line than the Texans. The Texans defensive line is anchored by the veteran duo of Jerry Hughes and Jonathan Allen.
Texans Wide Receivers vs. Bears Secondary
The Texans have a deep and talented group of wide receivers led by Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell. The Bears secondary is led by veteran cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who is a very talented defender. This matchup will be one to watch, as the Texans have the potential to put up big numbers through the air.
Bears Wide Receivers vs. Texans Secondary
The Bears are without their top receiver in Keenan Allen, so they will need D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet to step up. The Texans secondary is anchored by the veteran duo of Derek Stingley Jr. and Christian Harris.
The Houston Texans Have a Strong Offensive Identity
The Texans have a potent offense, led by Stroud, who is a dual-threat quarterback who has the ability to make all the throws. The Texans also have a powerful running game, with Joe Mixon leading the way. Mixon had a huge game against the Colts, gaining 159 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries. The Bears’ run defense, which allowed 103 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries to the Titans’ running backs, will have their hands full containing Mixon.
The Chicago Bears Are Hoping to Improve Their Offensive Performance
The Bears offense struggled in their Week 1 game against the Titans, scoring only one touchdown. Williams threw for only 93 yards and had one touchdown pass. However, the Bears’ defense is a strength, as they had two defensive touchdowns in the Week 1 win. The Bears’ defense will need to be at its best against the Texans’ offense.
Can Caleb Williams and C.J. Stroud Both Have Success?
The Texans are favored to win this game, but the Bears are a team that could pull off an upset. Williams struggled against the Titans but is a very talented quarterback. Stroud also had an impressive debut against the Colts, and the Bears will need to find a way to slow him down. The key to this game will be which team's defense can make the most plays, as both offenses are capable of putting up points.
What To Watch For
This game has the potential to be a high-scoring affair. Both teams are led by talented quarterbacks, and both teams have explosive offenses. However, the key to this game will be which team's defense can make the most plays.
The Takeaway
This game is going to be a battle. Both teams are looking to make a statement, and both teams have the potential to be playoff contenders. The winner of this game will have a huge advantage in the AFC South and NFC North. The Texans are a little too powerful for the Bears to keep up with.
Looking Ahead
The Texans will be looking to improve to 2-0 with a victory over the Bears. The Bears will be looking to bounce back from their Week 1 win and make a statement on the road. This game will be a must-watch for NFL fans, as two of the league's brightest young stars square off on Sunday night.
