Houston Texans studs and duds from the 2024 NFL Hall of Fame game

The Houston Texans have lost to the Chicago Bears in the annual Hall of Fame game by a score of 21-17. The game was cut short with a few minutes left in the third quarter by severe thunderstorms in the area. Rather than risk the players' safety the NFL called the game off after a lengthy delay.

For the Bears, it was the combination of quarterback Brett Rypien and wide receiver Collin Johnson that proved too much for Houston’s backups on the back end. Johnson finished the game with two touchdown catches, including what turned out to be the game winner. As for the Texans, here are a few players who stood out during tonight’s game, for better or worse.

Stud: QBs Davis Mills and Case Keenum

While it doesn’t count for anything, the Texans had to feel pretty good about how their backup quarterbacks performed, especially in the first half. Davis Mills came out feeling feisty and drove Houston down the field for an efficient touchdown drive to open the game. On what was probably his best play, Mills showed off some wheels and some heat.

Mills finished the evening 10/13 for 102 yards and a touchdown. With about five minutes to go in the second quarter, Case Keenum came in and kept the ball rolling, leading another scoring drive. Keenum finished the evening 7/9 for 78 yards and a score.

Dud: No starters

While it’s always good to see your quarterbacks thriving regardless of context, everything that gets written about this game has to come with a pretty significant asterisk. Not only did Chicago and Houston not play their starting quarterbacks, but at no point did anyone on either team face true first-unit competition. It’s an unfortunate part of the preseason, but it is understandable teams not wanting to risk injury to any starters this early in the year.

Stud: S Calen Bullock

DeMeco Ryans’ defense has definitely had better nights, but there were a couple standouts on this side of the ball nevertheless.The most active defender on the field for the Texans was rookie safety Calen Bullock out of USC. Bullock led the team with five total tackles and he also forced a fumble against Bears tight end Tommy Sweeney.

Dud: Houston’s run defense

Defending the run wasn’t an issue for this unit last season. In fact, only five teams around the NFL allowed fewer yards per game on the ground in 2023 than the Texans (96.6). It was a problem in this one, though. Chicago ran wild against Houston’s “starters” early on. The worst of it came from Khalil Herbert, who totaled 35 yards on just four carries. All together the Bears managed 86 yards on 15 carries (5.7 yards per attempt). You can bet this will be a point of emphasis for Ryans this week.

Stud: WR Xavier Hutchinson

The Texans’ passing attack was as sharp as one could hope for, though and their depth at the wide receiver position was readily apparent. Even with their top three receivers Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell on the sidelines this group still flashed throughout the game - especially Xavier Hutchinson. He posted a team high 56 yards on five catches.