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Edgar Chaput
Texans vs. Bears Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Hall-of-Fame Week Odds, Prediction
The first stage of getting excited about a new season is when the National Football League’s 32 clubs report to training camp. That was a week ago. The next stage is the pre-season opener, the Hall of Fame Game in Canton. While this annual tradition does not always make for the most exciting brand of football, it’s still an official NFL game. In early August, that’s all fans can ask for. This year, it’s the Houston Texans versus the Chicago Bears.
Our NFL pre-season odds see this one as pretty close, with Chicago pinned as a slim -1 favourite. These tend to be somewhat low scoring contests, hence the 31.5 over-under.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Last year Houston got through the preseason with a 2-1 outright record. Wins were earned away to the New England Patriots and New Orleans and a loss was suffered at home to Miami Dolphins. Results against the spread were mirror images, as the Texans went 2-1 in that regard as well.
As for the Bears, they went 1-2 straight up in August of 2023. They started brightly with a victory over the Tennessee Titans but fell to both the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills the following two weeks. That said, they covered twice for a 2-1 ATS tally.
Chicago is also 4-1 all-time in Hall of Fame Games. The Texans are 0-1, having only played in the innaugural year of their existence (2002). The old Houston Oilers lost a game back in 1971.
Houston Texans
The Texans franchise won’t just be present for a light game of summer football. WR Andre Johnson will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend, adding a point of pride to the proceedings.
Houston rolls into this game on the heels of a thrilling offseason that saw them sign WR Stefon Diggs, who might be a Hall of Famer someday. Are fans likely to see reigning Rookie of the Year QB stud C.J. Stroud? Probably not. This opening game tends to put the backups in the thick of the action. As such, expect healthy doses of Davis Mills and Tim Boyle, maybe even Case Keenum.
There won’t be any sightings of Diggs, Nico Collins, or Tank Dell either. Ben Skowronek, Xavier Hutchinson, Quintez Cephus, and Johnny Johnson III might be the ones corralling passes. Look for running game duties to be fulfilled by the likes of Dare Ogunbowale and 2024 draftee Jawhar Jordon.
Chicago Bears
The Bears franchise can be proud of itself this week, as they have no fewer than three inductees at Canton: Devin Hester, Steve McMichael, and Julius Peppers. The man many hope is the future of the organization, 2024 first-overall pick QB Caleb Williams, will be watching the game from the sidelines.
In his place will be Tyson Bagent, at least to open the game. Bagent is entering his second campaign and will want to carve his place as the undisputed backup to Williams. Hall of Fame Games tend to be quarterback carousels, so Brett Rypien and Austin Reed might get snaps too. Head coach Matt Eberflus said this week the starters will not be in action, so WRs DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and TE Cole Kmet will be in street clothes. Might 2024 first-round selection Rome Odunze get some game time? One reckons at most a few plays, if any. Say hello to guys like Dante Pettis, Collin Johnson, Freddie Swain, and Peter Leblanc.
RBs Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer will most likely carry the rock for much of the night.