Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears Pick 8/1/24 – The upcoming NFL Hall of Fame game features a compelling matchup between the Houston Texans, who finished last season with a commendable 10-7 record, and the Chicago Bears, who managed a 7-10 standing. Set to take place on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at the Tom Benson HOF Stadium, this game kicks off the new football season, providing fans with their first look at the teams’ offseason developments and adjustments. For those keen on NFL Hall of Fame tips and picks, this matchup offers an intriguing blend of potential and challenge, captured vividly under the lights of primetime television on ABC.
Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears Pick 8/1/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 8:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Tom Benson HOF Stadium |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Houston Texans (10-7 Last season) vs. Chicago Bears (7-10 Last Season)
The Texans offense key player is base quarterback CJ Stroud, who completed 63.9% of the previous season, threw 4,108 passing yards, and 23 touchdowns. However, it might be the ground game where the Texans can experience some issues. Dameon Pierce, nevertheless, brave as any football player can be, rushed for an average of 2.9 yards per attempt which reveals that the Texans could have certain weak spots in either their o-lines or rushing tactics. In the receiving corps, the Texans’ most prominent target remains Nico Collins who recorded 1,297 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last year.
On the other side, the Bears’ offense is headed by Tyson Bagen- a comparatively inexperienced quarterback who only played 5 games last season making 859 passing yards and a passer rating of 71.4. In the rushing department of rushing, the Bears will have to rely so much on Khalil Herbert. Herbert last season rushed for 611 yards even though he made 4.6 yards per carry, suggesting a dangerous runner. Some of the key performers for the Bears were DJ Moore who was the team’s standout receiver with 1,364 yards and who mirrors the menace that Collins is to the Texans hence making the Bears have a thrust option in both the short yardage and scoring.
C.J. Stroud QB vs. Tyson Bagen QB
CJ Stroud, coming into the season with a solid prior performance, has become one of the key players of the Houston Texans last season. Facts have shown that his completion pass has been 63.9%, his NFL passer rating 100.8, this shows how effective he is in the game and how he performs during a crucial moment. Through his tenure and success in managing his team’s strengths Stroud shall be in a position to capitalize on the Bears defense more so in critical moments of the game.
Tyson Bagen, as compared to the NFL starting quarterback, is comparatively not so experienced being new to the field and does not have the richness of experience with Stroud. In the previous season, Bagen was 65.7% successful in passing too, but the lower passer rating of 71.4 and a higher number of intercessions mean that the player is still in a process of adapting to the rhythm and nature of Massachusetts NFL. The event that shall come in the next game against the Texans will be a perfect time for Bagen to show his progress and better physical and mental strength which are components central to the Bears’ offense.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Chicago Bears -125, Total Odds: 40
The Bears are favored with a spread of -5.5 and a moneyline of -125, likely influenced by their home-field advantage and the Texans’ road game challenges. The total set at 40 points suggests expectations of a moderately scoring game, aligning with both teams’ recent trends towards lower-scoring encounters, especially in early season matchups.
Houston Texans Betting Trends
The Texans have shown resilience against the spread, going 10-4 in their last 14 road games. This trend indicates a team that performs well under adverse conditions, a crucial factor for bettors. Moreover, their recent performances suggest a strong defense, as evidenced by the total going UNDER in 5 of their last 6 games against NFC teams.
Chicago Bears Betting Trends
Chicago, meanwhile, excels at home, undefeated in their last 5 games at Tom Benson HOF Stadium. Their record against AFC South teams, with the total going OVER in the last 5 encounters, highlights their capability to exploit defenses from this division. However, they must translate this historical edge into a solid game plan against the Texans.
Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears 8/1/24 Betting Picks
Given the analysis and trends, this game presents a tightly contested battle. While the Bears hold the home advantage and a slight edge in betting lines, the Texans’ strong road ATS record and defensive solidity make them a compelling pick, especially with the point spread offering a cushion.
For those looking for premium top picks, taking the Texans to cover +5.5 and the total to go UNDER 40 could offer the best value. Prop bets on key players like Nico Collins for anytime touchdown scorer could also enhance the betting experience, given his track record and matchup potential.