Keys to the Game
Texans
- Take Advantage of Bears Offensive Line
- Pound the Rock
The Texans are juggernauts on the offensive side of the ball. However, arguably their most important key to this Week 2 matchup against the Bears is to take advantage of Chicago’s shaky offensive line. The group did grade out well on PFF Week 1 (8th in both pass and run block), but it didn’t quite feel like it. The bad plays were bad, especially with the interior linemen. The Titans blew up several plays by getting into Caleb Williams’ face immediately. The Texans would love to do the same.
Houston has a talented pass rush unit on paper, headlined by Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter on the edges. Still, (in admittedly a very short sample size), they did not put up good numbers in Week 1. In fact, the Texans recorded a measly 4 pressures and were one of only three NFL teams to fail to record a QB knockdown. If they pick it up on Sunday Night Football though, the Bears could be in for a long night.
The other major key for Houston is to pound the rock. New RB Joe Mixon torched the Colts last week. In addition to the run game being a new potential strength to the Texans offense, it makes sense to lean towards the run against Chicago’s defense in particular. The Bears have an elite secondary this season. CB Jaylon Johnson finished 1st in PFF coverage grade last week and second-year CB Tyrique Stevenson was named NFL Defensive Player of the Week after his game-winning pick-six. From Houston’s perspective, you don’t want to be put in a position where you are forced to pass, regardless of the talent of CJ Stroud and his impressive wide receiver trio.
Bears
- Corral Joe Mixon
- Lean on the Rushing Attack
Chicago’s main key to this tough matchup in Houston is to corral Joe Mixon. His efficiency on Sunday could be the deciding factor. The Texans had the most rushing yards in the league last week and the fifth-highest yards per attempt (YPA). Meanwhile, the Bears gave up the fourth-highest YPA. If the Texans are able to operate an efficient run game, their offense could be nearly unstoppable. CJ Stroud has proven that he doesn’t need any extra help.
On offense, the key for the Bears (similar to the Texans) is to lean on running backs D’Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert in the rushing attack. A strong run game is indescribably helpful for a rookie QB like Caleb Williams, so it would be nice for the offensive line and running backs to provide it. In addition to keeping defenders honest, every running play is a play where Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. aren’t able to pressure Williams. It may be better to run at these players opposed to from them.
Last week, the Bears finished the week 24th in rushing yards, failing to crack 100. They weren’t able to replicate the impressive rushing attack that they flaunted last season. Luckily, the Texans struggle to contain the run. In Week 1, the team came 29th in PFF run grade. The Bears should be able to find success in this facet of the game, potentially benefiting the passing attack in the process.
What’s the Move?
Texans -6.5 (ESPNBet)
Though I like the Bears to keep this game interesting for a while, I do have the Texans covering. The Chicago offense was awful last week. Though it will almost certainly look better Sunday night, it still has a lot of gelling to do. The defense will do its best to hold Stroud and co. back, but I think the Texans break away in the end and win by 7-13 points.