Houston Texans (10-7 Last Season) vs. Chicago Bears (7-10 Last Season)
The NFL Hall of Fame game is set to light up this Thursday with the Houston Texans taking on the Chicago Bears, both teams looking to start their season with a bang. Last season saw the Texans finish with a decent 10-7 record, showing promise in various facets of the game, while the Bears ended slightly lower at 7-10. As these teams clash at Tom Benson HOF Stadium, fans and bettors alike are on the lookout for free NFL Hall of Fame picks to capitalize on what promises to be an exciting opener.
The Texans’ offense last season was bolstered by notable performances in both the rushing and receiving departments. As for the running back position, Dameon Pierce who only averaged 2.9 yards per rush, was good at keeping the chains moving especially on the critical moments which gives evidence of his capability of breaking away this season. On the other side of the ball, someone who quite literally came out of nowhere, Nico Collins caught 80 passes for 1,297 receiving yards. His reception per game of 16.2 yards, and 8 touchdowns also presented a tough target that the bears would have to contain.
On the flip side, the Chicago Bears have their own set of weapons. Despite starting just twelve games in the previous season he gained 611 rush yards for which a healthy 4.6 yards per carry distinctly marked him as a game changer each time he got the ball. On the field, Moore Aerial is the go-to man as shown by his 1,364 receiving yards from 96 catches demonstrating the potential of being one of the best receivers.
Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears Game Info
| When: | Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 8:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Tom Benson HOF Stadium |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
C.J. Stroud QB vs. Tyson Bagen QB
C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans emerged as one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league last season, completing nearly 64% of his passes for over 4,100 yards. In particular, his 23 touchdown passes to 5 interceptions proved that he can effectively avoid throws to the other team even when under pressure. Through throw mechanics and his longest throw of 75 yards, it inflicts fear to defensive coordinators when Stroud is at the helm of the Cougar offense, not to mention the several passes of over 20 yards.
On the other side, Tyson Bagen, the quarterback for the Chicago Bears, showed potential in his limited appearances last season, completing 65.7% of his passes across just 5 games. However, his yards per attempt were considerably low and his touchdown to interception ratio was poor (3:6); it was evident that he was a rookie and was undergoing his learning process throughout the NFL. Therefore, Bagen’s flexibility in the outings of last season and his preseason preparation will be determinant to bear’s performance.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Chicago Bears -125, Total Odds: 40
The Bears are favored by 5.5 points, a spread that reflects their home advantage and perhaps some uncertainties surrounding the Texans’ ability to replicate last season’s form. The total points line is set at 40, indicating expectations of a tightly contested match, which might lean towards a lower scoring affair given both teams’ recent UNDER trends.
Houston Texans Betting Trends
The Texans have been a good bet against the spread, particularly on the road where they are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games. Their recent form also suggests a strong defensive strategy, as evidenced by the total going UNDER in 5 of their last 6 games against NFC teams. Bettors might find value in backing the Texans to cover, especially with a generous 5.5 points start.
Chicago Bears Betting Trends
The Bears, on the other hand, have been solid at home, going 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at their stronghold. Their tendency to hit the OVER against AFC South teams could factor into betting strategies, especially with 12 of the last 14 games against such opponents surpassing the total points line.
Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears 8/1/24 Betting Picks
Considering the strengths and recent trends of both teams, this game is set to be a showcase of tactical prowess. The Texans, with their strong road ATS record and the Bears with their formidable home form, make this a tricky pick. However, the underdog Texans might just have the edge with their robust defense and Stroud’s steady hand at the quarterback.
Given the close nature of this matchup and the Texans’ ability to keep games tight, taking them to cover the spread seems a sensible choice. For prop bets, watching for Nico Collins to have over 50 receiving yards could be a wise bet, given his track record. As for the game’s total, the trend suggests going UNDER might be the best route, reflecting both teams’ recent performances. For the best online betting experience, exploring live betting options as the game unfolds could also offer value.
