NFL Hall of Fame Game: Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears Offshore Odds, Picks (Aug 1)

• The NFL offseason continues to progress as the 2024-25 season rapidly approaches.
• The Hall of Fame Game will be played on August 1, kicking off the preseason games.
• This matchup features a clash between two young QBs, C.J. Stroud and Caleb Williams.

With the NFL Preseason set to start this week, let’s take a look at a thrilling matchup between the Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears. Both teams have exciting young players expected to participate in this game.

Before Betting on Texans vs Bears

The Texans had a sensational 2023 season with QB C.J. Stroud. Despite being a rookie, Stroud played with impressive poise. He finished the season with a passer rating over 100 and a TD/INT ratio of 23/5. His ability, coupled with some other positive changes in the organization, lifted the Texans from a 3-win team in 2022 to an 11-win team last season. Houston made a point to add more support for Stroud this offseason, trading for WR Stefon Diggs and RB Joe Mixon. This first quarter of this game will be a tryout for their new-look offense.

Chicago officially ended the Justin Fields experiment this offseason. They traded him to the Steelers just days after selecting Caleb Williams with the 1st-overall pick in this year’s draft. Williams is seen as a sensational prospect and offers an upside with his arm talent that Fields wasn’t able to provide. Chicago has been busy in the offseason rebuilding their roster to give Williams a chance to win right away. Preseason games should be taken with a grain of salt, but this is the first opportunity to see what Caleb Williams is capable of in the NFL.

Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears Offshore Odds

Preseason games are notoriously difficult to pick. The starters often don’t see the field, and when they do it’s rarely for more than a quarter or two. How the result swings in the second half once the developmental prospects take the field is a lot less certain than your average prediction. That being said, there is one thing worth noting. The Bears have more untested and young players, starting with QB Caleb Williams. That means they are more likely to keep the starters in longer. They’re also closer to home. I’m taking Chicago to win it.

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