A cross-conference battle has the Chicago Bears (1-0) and the Houston Texans (1-0) linking up on Sunday Night Football. This will be the first time that DeMeco Ryans and Matt Eberflus are going against each other head-to-head. These men are defensive-minded guys and their units reflected that. In 2023, Chicago ranked 12th in total defense (324.2 yards per game), while the Texans weren't far off, sitting in the 14th spot (330.7 ypg). Receiver Keenan Allen (heel) is inactive for Chicago.
Kickoff from NRG Stadium in Houston is set for 8:20 p.m. ET. Houston is a 6-point favorite in the latest Texans vs. Bears odds via the SportsLine Consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 45. Before locking in any Bears vs. Texans picks, make sure to check out the NFL predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season on an incredible 184-130 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. It is also on a 38-22 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of 2022.
The model also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick'em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is way up.
Now, the model has simulated Bears vs. Texans 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NFL picks and Texans vs. Bears betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NFL odds and NFL betting lines on the spread, money line and over/under for Bears vs. Texans:
- Texans vs. Bears spread: Houston -6
- Texans vs. Bears over/under: 45 points
- Texans vs. Bears money line: Texans -270, Bears +218
- CHI: Bears have scored first in 10 of their last 13 games
- HOU: Texans have hit the 1H money line in 15 of their last 22 games
- Texans vs. Bears picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Texans can cover
The Texans finished the 2023 season ranked as the 14th total defense, giving up 330.7 total yards per game. This offseason, they made some additions to raise the floor of this unit. They signed defensive end Danielle Hunter to a two-year, $49 million deal. Hunter has an amazing get-off and owns a pass-rush plan to generate pressure. In his career, he has compiled 463 total tackles, 108 tackles for loss, and 87.5 sacks.
Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. is an athletic force as both a run and pass defender. Anderson Jr. is able to win one-on-one matchups consistently and owns stout play recognition skills. Last season as a rookie, the Alabama product finished with 45 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. This duo off the edge has the skillset to be disruptive throughout this contest. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why the Bears can cover
The Bears have a bunch of guys who can be disruptive on the defensive side of the ball. In the win over the Titans in Week 1, they held Tennessee to 104 passing yards, 3-of-14 on third down, and forced three turnovers. Defensive end Darrell Taylor is an athletic and strong force along the front, and last week, the Tennessee product had eight total tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble.
Safety Jaquan Brisker is an all-around player in the backend who flies downhill to make tackles while using his awareness to be solid in coverage. The Penn State product had nine tackles in Week 1. In addition, cornerback Jaylon Johnson takes away the opposing WR1 by using his top-notch instincts and awareness to be a blanket in coverage. He's coming off a second-team All-Pro season in 2023, where he compiled 36 total tackles, 10 pass deflections, four interceptions, and a 33.3 passer rating allowed. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Bears vs. Texans picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over the total, projecting the teams to combine for 46 points. The model also says one side of the spread cashes in well over 50% of simulations. Head to SportsLine to see its NFL picks.
So who wins Bears vs. Texans on Sunday Night Football, and which side of the spread cashes well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Bears vs. Texans spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $7,000 on top-rated NFL picks, and find out.