It’s set to be a tantalizing showdown on Sunday Night Football on NBC, as two of the NFL’s most promising young quarterbacks face off.
C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans will host Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium, promising an electrifying contest!
Caleb Williams has given Bears fans hope for a return to NFL glory, but Week 1 was a reality check. Despite clinching a 24-17 victory, Chicago did it without an offensive touchdown. Trailing 17-0, the Bears’ defense and special teams led an incredible comeback with touchdowns from a blocked punt by Jonathan Owens, an interception by Tyrique Stevenson, and three crucial field goals from Cairo Santos.
Meanwhile, C.J. Stroud and his Texans, who surprised the league last season with a 10-7 finish and a playoff win, are ready to defend their turf. Last week, they battled it out with the Colts in a thrilling contest, eventually securing a 29-27 victory. **Stroud** was on point, distributing the ball to eight different receivers, while RB **Joe Mixon** was a force to be reckoned with, pounding the ground for 159 yards on 30 carries and a touchdown.
Chicago Faces Injury Struggles on Sunday Night
The Chicago Bears step onto the field Sunday night with some key players nursing injuries. **Keenan Allen** and **Rome Odunze**, two of their top wideouts, might be limited, forcing Caleb Williams to connect with some new faces. This challenge comes as they square off against a Texans team that has its sights set on not just a division title, but deeper playoff success.
NBC Sports Coverage for the Game
NBC Sports has you covered with all the latest information and analysis, including how to catch the game, live odds from BetMGM, player news, and our expert predictions and best bets.
Game Details and How to Watch
- Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024
- Time: 8:20 PM EST
- Site: NRG Stadium
- City: Houston, TX
- TV/Streaming: NBC/Peacock
Latest Game Odds: Bears vs. Texans
As of Saturday morning, here are the latest odds courtesy of DraftKings:
- Moneyline: Chicago Bears (+220), Houston Texans (-270)
- Spread: Texans -6.5
- Total: 45.5
The Bears, despite starting a rookie quarterback who struggled to find his rhythm in Week 1, are still finding their footing. The Total suggests we’re in for a point-scoring game, despite the inexperience on the Bears’ side.
NBC Sports Bet Best Bets
Here are some betting angles to consider:
Houston -6.5 (-108) – The Texans boast a versatile offense filled with seasoned playmakers, which could spell trouble for a Bears team dealing with inexperience under center and injured wideouts.
Joe Mixon OVER 80 yards rushing (+130) – This offers fantastic value for Houston’s workhorse. If Mixon gets 25 carries, he’d only need to average just over 3 yards per carry to hit this mark—expect him to exceed expectations with more than 25 carries and some big plays.
Chicago vs. Houston Team Stats, Betting Trends
- The Bears are 1-0 ATS this season
- The Bears are 1-0 to the UNDER this season
- The Texans are 0-1 ATS this season
- The Texans are 1-0 to the OVER this season
Quarterback Matchup
- Bears: Caleb Williams – The 2024 #1 overall pick had a challenging debut, completing just 14 of 29 passes for 93 yards.
- Texans: C.J. Stroud – The 2023 Rookie of the Year and fringe MVP candidate showcased his talent again in Week 1, completing 24 of 32 passes for 234 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Player News & Injury Updates
- Bears’ starting WR Keenan Allen (heel) is questionable for Sunday’s game
- Bears’ starting WR Rome Odunze (knee) is questionable for Sunday’s game
- Texans’ starting C Juice Scruggs (groin) is questionable for Sunday’s game
- Texans RB2 Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday’s game
Don’t miss this matchup—tune in to NBC for all the action!
