Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans: Preseason Betting Preview

NFL Hall of Fame Game Analysis and Predictions

Thursday, August 8th, 2024 | Canton, Ohio

The 2024 NFL preseason kicks off with a clash between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans in the Hall of Fame Game. The Texans enter the game as the slight favorite, but the Bears have some intriguing storylines to watch.

Texans vs. Bears Prediction: First Half Under 15.5 Points

The first half of preseason games can often be low-scoring affairs as teams experiment with different lineups and schemes. The Texans and Bears both have new head coaches, so it's likely that we'll see plenty of vanilla play-calling in the early going. With both teams likely to be conservative, the under on 15.5 points in the first half is a solid bet.

Key Storylines to Watch

* The Matt Eberflus Era Begins in Chicago: Former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus takes over as head coach of the Bears in 2024. Eberflus is known for his aggressive defensive scheme, so it will be interesting to see how he implements it in Chicago. * Davis Mills Looks to Impress in Houston: Texans quarterback Davis Mills had a solid rookie season in 2023, but he will need to show more consistency in 2024. Mills will have a chance to prove himself against a tough Bears defense in the Hall of Fame Game. * Justin Fields' Development: Bears quarterback Justin Fields had a roller coaster rookie season in 2023. Fields has the potential to be a star, but he needs to improve his decision-making and accuracy. The Hall of Fame Game will be a good test for Fields to show how much he has progressed.

Injury Report

* Texans: CB Derek Stingley (ankle) is questionable. * Bears: WR Byron Pringle (quad) is questionable.

Betting Trends

* The Texans are 3-2 ATS in their last five preseason games. * The Bears are 2-3 ATS in their last five preseason games. * The under is 4-1 in the Texans' last five preseason games. * The under is 3-2 in the Bears' last five preseason games.

Conclusion

The Texans vs. Bears Hall of Fame Game matchup is a tough one to predict. The Texans are the slight favorite, but the Bears have some intriguing storylines to watch. With both teams likely to be conservative in the early going, the under on 15.5 points in the first half is a solid bet.