Predictions, what to watch for in Bears-Texans SNF matchup

Week 1 certainly wasn’t pretty at times for the Chicago Bears but a win is a win. Now, they’ll take their 1-0 record to Houston for a primetime matchup with the reigning AFC South champs on “Sunday Night Football.”

The Texans are coming off a close win over the Indianapolis Colts on the road last week after adding many new pieces to last year’s team.

Let’s take a closer look at the matchup and make some predictions.

Related: Chicago's 3 keys to victory on 'SNF' vs. Texans

Why I’m confident

Josh: Bears offense can’t be that bad

There’s no nice way around it: Chicago’s offense was a disaster in Week 1.

The team that added the No. 1 pick, one of the most productive NFL receivers of the past decade, one of the most productive college wide receivers in recent years and a few other weapons to last year’s core somehow produced nine three field goals and 148 total yards — 45 fewer than the second-worst offense in Week 1, Carolina — last weekend.

Tennessee’s defense is solid but there’s just no way the Bears offense can be that bad, right? I think they got whatever that was out of their system and will look much better in front of a national audience on Sunday night.

Tommy: Bears defense seems legit

Chicago showed out on defense in last week's game against the Titans.

Specifically the Bears' secondary, picking quarterback Will Levis off twice and returning one of them for a touchdown to take the lead for good in the fourth quarter.

Related: Watch: Bears' pick-6 gives them the lead over Tennessee in the fourth quarter

Chicago's front seven on defense was also able to set the tone, especially in the second half after giving up 17 points in the first half to Tennessee. Darrell Taylor stood out in his Bears debut, tallying two sacks, eight tackles and two quarterback hits.

The defense will get a true test this week in Houston as they face a much more potent offense that features C.J. Stroud, Stefon Diggs, Joe Mixon, Tank Dell, Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz as offensive weapons.

Chicago's defense will have an extra emphasis to it if the Caleb Williams and the Bears offense can't get it rolling early on.

Why I’m concerned

Josh: Could the offense actually be that bad again?

I know what I just said above and I do believe the Bears offense will be better than what it showed in Week 1 but it’s looking less promising that a transformation will take place this weekend.

Neither Keenan Allen nor Rome Odunze have practiced yet this week due to injury and guard Ryan Bates went from being limited by injury on Wednesday to not practicing at all on Thursday. He was officially ruled out for Sunday's contest on Friday.

Allen and Rome are considered to be questionable.

That’s not great heading into a primetime game in what will be Caleb Williams’ first road start of his NFL career. There’s still hope that some of those guys can return in time for the game but even if they do, some limitations are likely. Not ideal for the offense after last week.

Tommy: Bears offense has tough test early

Allen and Odunze are listed as questionable and will be game-time decisions, according to head coach Matt Eberflus. If one or both of them can't go, Chicago will need Tyler Scott and possibly another receiver to step up Sunday night.

That's already tough for an offense that was kept out of the end zone in week one and Williams who couldn't even throw at least 100 passing yards.

Related: Bears injury report: WRs Allen and Odunze questionable vs. Texans, 2 others out

The Bears will need to find some kind of rhythm to at least keep up with the Texans offense. Luckily, Houston has shown some cracks in just one week of play within its defense.

The Texans allowed 27 points against the Indianapolis Colts last week and showed some vulnerability to the deep ball.

The question is, can Williams get the passing game going? That will be key.

Key matchup

Josh: Bears secondary vs. Texans wide receivers

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has shown he can perform under pressure. Last week, he did take four sacks but still posted a passer rating of 113.7 when pressured — basically the same as his 114.1 passer rating when kept clean, per Pro Football Focus.

The Texans not only have Nico Collins and Tank Dell this year but also Stefon Diggs, and running back Joe Mixon is a receiving threat as well.

Jaylon Johnson may be able to lock down one of those guys but Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson and company will have their hands full compared to what they dealt with against the Titans.

Tommy: Bears rushing offense vs. Texans defense

The team isn't centered around a strong rushing game but they're going to need to improve from what has been shown in just a week's play so far.

D'Andre Swift, Caleb Williams, Velus Jones Jr., Travis Homer, Khalil Herbert and D.J. Moore combined for 84 rushing yards on 22 carries (2.7 yards per attempt) in the win over the Titans.

Having an at least formidable running game will only help the rookie quarterback but it won't be easy against a defense that held Colts tailback Jonathan Taylor in check last week.

Taylor rushed 16 times for 48 yards (3 yards per attempt) and a touchdown. Quarterback Anthony Richardson was able to rush 6 times for 56 yards and a score but Williams doesn't scramble like Richardson can.

An improved run game in Week 2 should provide better results in the passing game.

All eyes on

Josh: DJ Moore

If Allen and Odunze can’t go, Chicago is basically back to Moore and tight end Cole Kmet getting all of the attention.

Moore showed again that he is a WR1 in the NFL when relied upon and the Bears may lean on him heavily Sunday night.

What can he do to help Williams and jumpstart, if not carry, this offense?

Tommy: Caleb Williams

Sunday Night Football. Is the rookie ready for the pressure and challenge?

Playing against the Texans, Williams will get his first taste of what a playoff opponent feels like as well. He may have his work cut out for him with injuries at the wide receiver position but that's football. Have to control what you can control.

It'll be Williams' greatest test so far in his young career and the rest of the nation gets to see him either thrive or welt under the pressure.

Williams said in Hard Knocks this season that he doesn't get nervous. It's time to see if that claim holds up, especially after last week's less-than-impressive showing.

Prediction

Josh: 20-10 Texans

Fully healthy, I’d give the Bears more than a fighting shot in this one, even after last weekend’s offensive debacle. However, with the injuries, a higher-powered opponent and the first road start of Williams’ career, I think the Windy City currently has too much wind at its face to come out on top here.

Tommy: 31-13 Texans

Even if the Bears have Odunze and Allen play Sunday night, it might not matter. Williams is still on a learning curve and unless he improves dramatically from his last performance, it could be the same old story again against the Texans. The Bears defense should hold their own, but the dam will break when defensive players are on the field for most of the night.