Get ready football fans, because the highly anticipated Hall of Fame Game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans is just around the corner. The excitement is palpable as these two teams prepare to showcase their talent and battle it out on the field in Canton.
Chicago is looking to make a statement in 2024 and follow in the footsteps of the Texans, who secured a postseason berth in 2023. The Texans, on the other hand, have bolstered their roster with veteran talent in hopes of making a splash in the AFC this season.
While the big names on both teams may not see much action in this preseason matchup, there are still plenty of things to keep an eye on. So, without further ado, here are Three Things to Watch in the upcoming Texans vs. Bears showdown at the Hall of Fame Game.
The quarterback situation for these two teams couldn’t be more different. The Texans have a trio of seasoned veterans in Davis Mills, Case Keenum, and Tim Boyle, backing up their No. 1 QB C.J. Stroud. On the other hand, the Bears are relying on their top draft pick, Caleb Williams, with Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien, and Austin Reed in reserve. The experience level between these two groups is stark, with the Texans’ backups boasting a combined 112 career starts compared to just eight for the Bears’ backups.
“I don’t expect Bagent to see a lot of action Thursday, but Rypien and Reed will have their chance to shine,” said one analyst. “This could give the Texans an edge in the second half.”
In the running back department, Houston will be looking to see how Dameon Pierce and Jawhar Jordan perform against the Bears. With veteran Joe Mixon sidelined due to a hamstring injury, the Texans’ backfield hierarchy is up in the air. Pierce, who struggled to adapt to the team’s zone-blocking scheme last season, will be eager to prove himself. Meanwhile, Jordan, a rookie out of Louisville, has shown promise both as a runner and a pass-catcher.
In addition to Mixon, the Texans have Dare Ogunbowale, a reliable special-teams player, in their running back stable. Both Pierce and Jordan have been getting praise in preseason camp, but Thursday’s game will be their chance to show what they’re truly made of.
So, mark your calendars and get ready for an exciting showdown between the Texans and Bears at the Hall of Fame Game. This is one matchup you won’t want to miss.