Week 2 SNF: Bears-Texans Preview, Props, Prediction

The Chicago Bears go on the road seeking to upset one of the preseason favorites in the AFC when they visit the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football.Both teams etched come-from-behind victories in Week 1, although in much different fashions.The Bears’ offense struggled with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams making his first regular-season start. But a strong defense and some self-inflicted wounds by the Tennessee Titans led to a 24-17 victory. Meanwhile, the Texans scored a key season-opening victory over division rival Indianapolis in a tight 29-27 win.THE ODDSThe Texans are 5.5- to 6.0-point favorites at most sportsbooks. That includes at BetRivers, where the Bears have drawn 57 percent of the spread-line money despite Houston being backed by 73.5 percent of the total bets.The 45.0-point Over has seen the Over backed by 71.7 percent of the money and 63.7 percent of the total bets.PROP PICKTexas RB Joe Mixon Anytime TD (-145 at DraftKings): Mixon has been the most popular player at the book to reach the end zone at least once Sunday night. The long-time Cincinnati Bengals bell cow back logged 30 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown in his regular-season debut with the Texans last week, with backup Dameon Pierce receiving only three carries.THE NEWSChicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus was asked how the historic production Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud enjoyed as a rookie last season could be used as a template for Williams, whose debut could reasonably be described as inauspicious.Eberflus adroitly sidestepped making a comparison that would only add to the already enormous expectations resting on Williams’ shoulders. While Stroud crafted one of the greatest seasons for a rookie quarterback in NFL history, Williams struggled in his first career start and relied on the Bears’ exceptional defense and special teams to steer the way to a 24-17 home win over the Tennessee Titans.The Texans will host the Bears in a showdown on Sunday highlighting the standard Williams is charged with meeting. Stroud thrived in a 29-27 road victory over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, passing for 234 yards and two touchdowns with a 115.9 rating.Williams, conversely, averaged 3.2 yards per attempt, threw for only 93 yards, posted a 55.7 rating and led an offense that didn’t score a touchdown. His handling of a middling performance struck Eberflus.”He’s been really good,” Eberflus said. “Him and I watched the plays Monday morning. He comes into my office and was really good there. He’s really good with the players owning up to everything and taking responsibility for performance and accountability. That’s what you need from leaders on the football team, not just him.”And then moving forward to coming in (Wednesday) morning and figuring out what we’re doing, how we’re doing it and having conversations with him. I think he’s in a good spot.”The Bears were buoyed by a pair of touchdown returns, including a 43-yard interception return by cornerback Tyrique Stevenson with 7:35 left in regulation that sealed the win. Chicago sacked Titans quarterback Will Levis three times, picked him off twice and limited Levis to 4.0 yards per attempt.The Bears might need another stifling performance against the Texans, not only to cover Williams as he develops but to help a Chicago offense that has a pair of receivers — Keenan Allen (heel) and Rome Odunze (MCL strain) — listed as questionable for Sunday.Wins can mask warts. But Williams acknowledged that ample work remains for the offense.