The Houston Texans want to make a lot of noise on Sunday Night Football with the Chicago Bears. Both teams are riding momentum from Week 1 victories, as the Texans try to start two games in the black for the first time since 2016. Houston has an excellent opportunity to come out on top-provided they stick to a few areas of focus. Here are five pivotal things the Houston Texans have to do to win the game.
1. Protect C.J. Stroud
Protection was bad for the rookie quarterback, C.J. Stroud, in Houston, as he faced duress on nearly 39% of his dropbacks, including four sacks and ten quarterback hits in Week 1. Still, he completed 24/32 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Better protection by the Texans will go a long way in ensuring he continues in this form.
The Chicago Bears boast a formidable pass rush, with Darrell Taylor and Demarcus Walker leading the charge; the latter may exploit any weaknesses in the Texans’ offensive line. Keeping Stroud upright will not only protect him but also give Houston’s receivers a chance to make plays downfield.
2. Attack Chicago’s Interior
The Bears’ interior linemen struggled mightily in Week 1. Chicago allowed a good amount of pressure from their guards and center, which helped make things tough on their rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams. The Texans’ defensive line—led by Mario Edwards Jr. and Foley Fatukasi—needs to capitalize on this vulnerability.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans has been one of the more creative defensive minds in the league this season, so look for the Texans to use stunts and twists to get at the weak spots in Chicago. The success of Houston will come into play and make Williams fumble by putting pressure on him, successfully disrupting the Bears’ line.
3. Keep the Bears Underneath
Through Week 1, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams averaged just 2.1 yards per passing play due to his struggles to push the ball downfield. To force big plays, the Texans’ defense needs to keep Bears receivers such as D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen underneath.
Houston’s secondary allowed a few long completions in their last game, so improving the coverage will be important. With some of the Bears’ top receivers dealing with injuries, the Texans have a chance to limit their effectiveness and force Chicago to rely on shorter, less dangerous passes.
4. Win on Special Teams
In most close games, special teams can often provide the edge needed. How solid the Bears were in that respect came into play when the team took down a Week 1 win. Former Texans player Jonathan Owens recovered and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and made quite the impact.
The Texans cannot afford to give the Bears any easy opportunities. Last week, Houston had a punt blocked, which almost cost them the game. Special teams units, whether in coverage or protecting their punter, must be sharp to avoid another repeat of that mistake.
5. Improve 3rd Down Conditions
The Texans converted 9 of 16 third downs in their season opener with a lot of efficiency. Key additions include Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs, both solidifying this area of their game. Diggs was particularly effective, as he made critical third and fourth-down receptions.
This efficiency is paramount going into Week 2. The Bears boast a stingy defense; the Texans need to do a better job handling their third-down situations. Cutting down on yardage required to move chains and converting under pressure will help in sustaining drives en route to generating points.
Conclusion
The Houston Texans should protect the quarterback, exploit any weaknesses in the Bears’ offensive line, clean up coverage on defense, win special teams, and continue to be efficient on third downs. Against the Chicago Bears, the Houston Texans must address these issues head-on, for which it has been preparing throughout this week.
With these key issues taken care of, the Texans could be on their way to building on their promising start and reaching their aim of opening the season 2-0. If everything clicks with the right strategies, the Texans have the best chance to make a strong statement in their primetime debut.
For More Great Content
Are you desiring top-tier content that covers everything? From thrilling sports and intoxicating entertainment news to gaming tips and professional betting advice, Total Apex covers it all. Delve into our no-fluff articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the latest scoops in the gaming industry that will take your experiences to the next level.
Finally, our betting advice will give you a decisive edge over the competition and increase your odds of beating the books. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, Total Apex is your one-stop shop for all things compelling and relevant. Don’t forget we cover fantasy sports, too!
Check out all our sites: Total Apex Sports, Total Apex Fantasy Sports, Total Apex Entertainment, Total Apex Sports Bets, and Total Apex Gaming. Out of the ashes of obscurity will rise a beast. Always remember to respect the hustle! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports to stay informed.
