Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears odds, picks and predictions

The Houston Texans battle the Chicago Bears in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday to officially kick off the NFL preseason. Kickoff from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Texans vs. Bears odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

The Texans finished last season atop the AFC South with a 10-7 record. They demolished the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card round before finding the same fate in a divisional round loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Houston’s offseason was marked by the acquisitions of WR Stefon Diggs and RB Joe Mixon to beef up the offense surrounding 2nd-year QB C.J. Stroud.

Chicago finished tied for last place in the NFC North at 7-10 and missed the playoffs for the 3rd straoght year. It added QB Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft and WR Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick. Outside of the draft, the Bears top offseason acquisition was another move to add to the offense with the addition of WR Keenan Allen.

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Texans vs. Bears odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:46 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Texans -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Bears +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
• Against the spread (ATS): Texans -1.5 (-110) | Bears +1.5 (-110)
• Over/Under (O/U): 31.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Texans vs. Bears picks and predictions

Prediction

Texas 21, Bears 13

PASS.

The spread has better odds for the Texans in this matchup.

BET TEXANS -1.5 (-110).

While both sides have hinted that key players, including Stroud and Williams, will not see any action on Thursday, the Texans still hold the advantage. In a preseason game, we will get to see the minds of the head coaches, including DeMeco Ryans, who is entering his 2nd year after taking the Texans to the playoffs in his first season. He will be the difference maker on Thursday which will allow the Texans to win and cover the spread.

BET OVER 31.5 (-110).

While the starters on both sides will see minimal, if any, action, this is a low line. With new defensive schemes being added over the offseason and both teams seeing their first live action of the season on Thursday, expect struggles on both sides of the ball that will lead to more points. The HOF game has hit Over 31.5 points in back-to-back years and in 3 of the last 5 games played.

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