Three Things to Watch During Texans vs. Bears NFL Hall of Fame Game

The Chicago Bears and Houston Texans will hit the field for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton on Thursday, August 1.

Chicago will look to start 2024 off right and follow in Houston’s 2023 footsteps by punching a postseason ticket. The Texans, meanwhile, loaded up on veteran talent during the offseason to take the next step in the AFC.

With the marquee names from both teams unlikely to see meaningful action Thursday, here are Three Things to Watch while the Texans vs. Bears predictions play out in the Hall of Fame Game.

Texans vs. Bears Hall of Fame Game things to watch

Will QB experience be the difference?

There is no comparison between the experience behind center of the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears. Houston has veterans Davis Mills, Case Keenum, and Tim Boyle lined up behind No. 1 C.J. Stroud on the depth chart, while Chicago follows No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams with Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien, and Austin Reed. The three Houston backups have combined for 112 career starts, while the three Chicago backups don’t crack double-digits with just eight combined.

With starter snaps likely few and far between, while backups, rookies, and practice-squad fodder see the vast majority of the reps — especially in the second half — I’m expecting the Houston experience at quarterback to give the Texans a sizable advantage as the game progresses. It’s also a major reason we’ve seen Houston shift from an opening underdog to the betting favorite.

Bad news Bears fans: No starters Thursday

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus won’t be sending out any of his starters to play Thursday, and Bagent will start behind center. Of course, this means the debut of No.1 overall pick Williams will have to wait, with the quarterback’s next opportunity to hit the field coming Aug. 10 against the Buffalo Bills.

I don’t expect Bagent to see a lot of action Thursday, either, though. He was serviceable last season with a 2-2 record as a starter, and I’m anticipating Rypien and Reed each taking plenty of snaps. Again, this should give the Texans an edge in the second half.

Big workload for pair of Houston backs

Houston running backs Dameon Pierce and Jawhar Jordan are expected to see plenty of run Thursday. The club brought in veteran Joe Mixon to lead the rushing attack, but the pecking order behind him is murky. Mixon is nursing a hamstring injury and won’t play against the Bears.

Pierce had a solid rookie campaign, but he struggled to adjust to Houston’s zone-blocking scheme last year and plodded for a pedestrian 2.9 yards per tote. The Texans selected Jordan out of Louisville in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has experience running behind a similar blocking scheme in college. Jordan has also flashed pass-catching chops in camp.

In addition to Mixon, the Texans have special-teams maestro Dare Ogunbowale in the fold at running back, and he’s also a capable third-down back. Both Pierce and Jordan have received the oft-heard preseason praise, but it’s pretty clear they’re the two players with the most to prove in this backfield Thursday.

Texans vs Bears odds

Texans vs Bears live odds

Texans vs Bears opening odds

• Spread: Houston +1.5 | Chicago -1.5
• Moneyline: Houston +105 | Chicago -125
• Over/Under: Over 32.5 | Under 32.5

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