It has been nearly six months since the Kansas City Chiefs won their second straight Super Bowl, but the wait for NFL action is finally over.
The Houston Texans and Chicago Bears will kick off the 2024 NFL preseason in the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, OH, on Thursday, Aug. 1.
Let’s get you ready for football’s return by digging into the latest Texans vs Bears odds and making some predictions.
Texans vs Bears Odds
NFL odds used for these Hall of Fame Game predictions are current as of Monday, July 29, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Texans (+105) vs Bears (-125)
- Spread: Texans +1.5 (-108) vs Bears -1.5 (-112)
- Over/Under: Over 32.5 (-110) / Under 32.5 (-110)
Oddsmakers have installed Chicago as a slight favorite in this contest, which makes sense since it’s unlikely we’ll see many of Houston’s starters, including quarterback C.J. Stroud, in the preseason opener.
That has also been accounted for in the total, which sits well below regular-season standards at 32.5 total points.
Texans vs Bears Prediction
Texans 20, Bears 17
Predicting NFL preseason games is not an exact science, especially when we don’t know exactly who will play and for how long.
However, there is reportedly a chance that No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams will debut for the Bears on Thursday night. Confirmation of that news is worth following over the next few days, as I’d expect the spread to swing further in Chicago’s favor if he suits up.
That said, I’m backing the Texans here since they have enough depth behind Stroud and Co. to put points on the board.
Texans vs Bears Best Bets
Texans ML (+105)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Although many high-profile names will sit, I’m tempted to take the Texans at plus-money odds.
Houston has a lot of depth at the skill positions, with running backs Dameon Pierce and Cam Akers sitting behind Joe Mixon and guys like Robert Woods, Noah Brown, John Metchie III, and Ben Skowronek backing up the big three of Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell.
They should be able to make plays for backup quarterback Davis Mills, who was serviceable as a starter in 2021 and 2022, and veteran third-stringer Case Keenum.
As long as we don’t see too much of fourth-stringer Tim Boyle, the Texans can pull this out. Back Houston as one of your NFL best bets.
Over 32.5 Points (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Hall of Fame Game has gone Over this total in four of the last six years, and I think there’s enough talent on both sides to get us into the mid-thirties on Thursday.
Regardless of whether Williams plays, the Bears should be able to contribute to the total. Chicago has a ton of depth at running back, with Roschon Johnson, Khalil Herbert, and Travis Homer likely to earn the bulk of the carries.
Backup QB Tyson Bagent flashed potential in limited action last year, and rookie Austin Reed is one to watch after throwing 71 touchdowns in his last two seasons at Western Kentucky.
