Two of the NFL's most exciting young quarterbacks are set to clash under the prime-time spotlight of "Sunday Night Football" in Week 2. It’s going to be a showdown between the Houston Texans, led by last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, C.J. Stroud, and the Chicago Bears, who are banking on their No. 1 overall draft pick, Caleb Williams, to take them to new heights. Both teams are coming off Week 1 victories, although neither win was particularly flawless.
Let’s dive into some of the highlights, predictions, and must-know details for this matchup, along with updates from the field as the game unfolds.
Setting the Stage
The Houston Texans managed to scrape by the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, with two crucial touchdowns from wide receiver Stefon Diggs and a stellar 150-yard performance on the ground by Joe Mixon. Meanwhile, the Bears also got their season off to a winning start, securing a 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans. But it wasn’t all sunshine for Caleb Williams, as the rookie QB struggled, throwing for just 93 yards and failing to reach the end zone.
With both teams sitting at 1-0, this game feels like a chance for each to prove they're legit. And for Williams, it's a golden opportunity to show why he was the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Breaking Down the Action
In the first quarter, the game began with some early fireworks – though it wasn’t the quarterbacks making the headlines just yet. Houston struck first, as kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn drilled a 56-yard field goal to give the Texans a 3-0 lead. Fairbairn’s booming kick capped an eight-play opening drive led by C.J. Stroud, who spread the ball around nicely and leaned on Joe Mixon’s power running to get the offense moving.
Not to be outdone, the Bears quickly responded. Caleb Williams, looking sharper than his shaky debut in Week 1, completed five straight passes on a methodical 11-play drive. But just as Chicago seemed poised to find the end zone, the Texans' defensive stars, Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., got to Williams, sacking him on third down and forcing the Bears to settle for a 53-yard field goal by Cairo Santos. Santos barely made it, with the ball clipping the camera at the bottom of the goal post before bouncing in, but it was enough to even the score at 3-3.
Houston didn’t waste any time reclaiming the lead early in the second quarter. Stroud connected with wide receiver Nico Collins on a 28-yard touchdown pass to make it 10-3. Collins was a standout in the first half, hauling in three catches for 52 yards, including the game’s first TD. C.J. Stroud, looking every bit like the polished quarterback that earned him rookie honors, was 8-for-10 with 92 passing yards by that point.
Another drive, another score. The Texans followed up with another Fairbairn field goal – this one from 47 yards out – pushing their lead to 13-3 midway through the second quarter. Houston's offense was in rhythm, having scored on their first three drives, and it looked like Chicago was going to have a tough time keeping pace.
The Build-Up to Kickoff
For fans eager to catch the action live, "Sunday Night Football" kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET from NRG Stadium in Houston. You can watch the game on NBC, or stream it live on Peacock or Fubo. On the call will be Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth, with Melissa Stark providing field reports, so expect top-notch coverage.
Key Inactive Players
Both teams are missing some important pieces in this matchup. Chicago will be without wide receiver Keenan Allen, who was listed as questionable with a heel injury. Rookie wideout Rome Odunze, who was also questionable, will suit up, but Allen’s absence leaves a hole in the Bears' receiving corps. Other notable inactives for Chicago include wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. and linebacker Noah Sewell.
On the Texans' side, they’re without wide receiver John Metchie III and running back Dameon Pierce, which may put more pressure on Joe Mixon to carry the load in the backfield. Linebacker Jamal Hill and safety M.J. Stewart are also inactive for Houston.
Expert Predictions & Odds
According to BetMGM’s odds, the Texans are favored to win, with a 6-point spread. The moneyline has Houston at -275 and Chicago at +220, while the over/under is set at 45 points. For those looking to place a bet, this could be an interesting line, especially considering both teams' Week 1 performances.
Here’s a quick look at the expert picks from USA TODAY Sports:
- Jarrett Bell: Texans
- Chris Bumbaca: Texans
- Nate Davis: Texans
- Tyler Dragon: Texans
- Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Texans
- Lorenzo Reyes: Texans
As you can see, the experts are all leaning toward a Texans victory, and for good reason. Houston looked more cohesive in Week 1, while Chicago’s rookie quarterback is still finding his footing in the NFL.
Caleb Williams' Historic Start
Despite a less-than-stellar stat line in Week 1, Caleb Williams made history by becoming the first No. 1 overall pick to win his NFL debut as a starting quarterback since 2002. The last to do so? David Carr – who, coincidentally, did it with the Houston Texans in their inaugural game, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 19-10.
Williams' win snapped a 0-14-1 streak for No. 1 pick quarterbacks in their first career starts, a slump that began with Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003. It's a small victory for the Bears' rookie, but Williams will need to improve quickly if he wants to lead Chicago to more success this season.
A Look at the Highest-Paid NFL Players
This season has also been marked by a lot of talk about big contracts, especially among quarterbacks. The NFL’s highest-paid player in terms of average annual salary is currently Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, who inked a four-year, $240 million deal. But the league’s top earners are not all signal-callers. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson made headlines with a four-year, $140 million extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.
For those interested, here’s a quick breakdown of the highest-paid players at each position:
- Quarterbacks: Dak Prescott
- Running backs: (varies)
- Wide receivers: Justin Jefferson
- Tight ends: (varies)
- Offensive tackles: (varies)
- Defensive linemen: (varies)
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So, grab your popcorn and settle in – it’s going to be a fun night as two of the NFL’s brightest young stars take center stage on "Sunday Night Football." Will Caleb Williams rise to the occasion and bounce back from a rough debut, or will C.J. Stroud and the Texans continue their winning ways? Time will tell, and we’re all here for the ride!
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