The future of the NFL will be on display Sunday night as the Chicago Bears travel to Houston to take on the Texans. Each team won its first game of the season and will look to pick up a statement victory in Week 2.
Chicago drafted Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. While he had his first career start last week against the Titans, this will be his first road test.
Meanwhile, Houston’s C.J. Stroud was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and won the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award last season.
Expectations are high for both players and for both teams in this meeting of non-conference opponents.
With the Bears in the NFC North and the Texans in the AFC South, these franchises rarely match up. This iteration of the Houston NFL franchise began in 2002, and since then, these teams have only played six times, with Houston leading the all-time series, 4-2.
The Texans and Bears most recently matched up in September 2022. Chicago won that game, 23-20, thanks to two rushing touchdowns from Khalil Herbert and three field goals from Cairo Santos.
MORE: Worst overreactions from NFL Week 1: Caleb Williams is overrated
Bears vs. Texas score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Bears | |||||
| Texans |
Bears vs. Texans updates, highlights from ‘Sunday Night Football’
Updates will begin about two hours prior to kickoff. All times ET
7:35 p.m. — Houston fans get to enjoy their team in primetime. This will be the first time the Texans will play on ‘Sunday Night Football’ in the regular season since 2019.
7:15 p.m. — The roof at NRG Stadium will start open. There is only an 8% chance of rain, so this game will likely stay dry. There is a real feel of 94, but the players likely won’t feel the brunt of that by the time kickoff comes around.
Roof is open tonight NRG Stadium. pic.twitter.com/pjhne9QZJi
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) September 15, 2024
6:50 p.m. — Inactives have been announced for both teams. The big news here is that veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen is OUT for Chicago, while rookie Rome Odunze is ACTIVE.
Inactives for #CHIvsHOU: pic.twitter.com/maPySR2uSa
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 15, 2024
Our inactives for #CHIvsHOU ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ru2OMQiH3i
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 15, 2024
6:40 p.m. — For those betting on the game, the Texans are six point favorites at Caesars Sportsbook. Houston is installed at -285 on the moneyline, while Chicago is +228. The point total is set at 45.
6:25 p.m. — The home Texans will be rocking their all white jerseys, while Chicago counters in their iconic orange threads.
All set for #SNF 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Eee8F7nry5
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 15, 2024
6:10 p.m. — Kickoff for the game is still about two hours away, but players have arrived. With the game at NRG Stadium, there is no concern over the weather, which the teams will likely be thankful for as it is currently 94 degrees in Houston.
Known in my city 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9um2y5iRiw
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 15, 2024
MORE: Updated fantasy football rankings: Who to start, sit for Week 2
What channel is Bears vs. Texans on today?
The Bears vs. Texans game will air on NBC as part of the channel’s weekly “Sunday Night Football” series.
Mike Tirico will be the play-by-play analyst, and former NFL wide receiver Cris Collinsworth will serve as the color commentator. The duo will be joined by sideline reporter Melissa Stark and rules analyst Terry McAulay, who will help provide context when penalties are called or players are reviewed.
Fans can stream the game via Peacock or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Bears vs. Texans start time
- Date: Sunday, September 15
- Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET
The Bears’ and Texans’ game on Sunday will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET (7:20 p.m. CT local time) at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Bears 2024 schedule
While Caleb Williams held the spotlight ahead of his NFL debut, the defense and special teams units shined the brightest in the Bears’ 24-17 win over the Titans. Chicago allowed 14 points in the first half of its Week 1 game but pitched a shutout in the second half.
The Bears blocked a punt and Jonathan Owens returned it 21 yards for a touchdown. Tyrique Stevenson had a 43-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
| Week | Opponent (Result) | Date, time (ET) |
| 1 | vs. Tennessee Titans (W, 24-17) | — |
| 2 | @ Houston Texans | Sept. 15, 8:20 p.m. |
| 3 | @ Indianapolis Colts | Sept. 22, 1 p.m. |
| 4 | vs. Los Angeles Rams | Sept. 29, 1 p.m. |
| 5 | vs. Carolina Panthers | Oct. 6, 1 p.m. |
| 6 | vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | Oct. 13, 9:30 a.m. |
| 7 | BYE WEEK | BYE WEEK |
| 8 | @ Washington Commanders | Oct.27, 1 p.m. |
| 9 | @ Arizona Cardinals | Nov. 3, 4:05 p.m. |
| 10 | vs. New England Patriots | Nov. 10, 1 p.m. |
| 11 | vs. Green Bay Packers | Nov. 17, 1 p.m. |
| 12 | vs. Minnesota Vikings | Nov. 24, 1 p.m. |
| 13 | @ Detroit Lions | Nov. 28, 12:30 p.m. |
| 14 | @ San Francisco 49ers | Dec. 8, 4:25 p.m. |
| 15 | @ Minnesota Vikings | Dec. 16, 8 p.m. |
| 16 | vs. Detroit Lions | Dec. 22, 1 p.m. |
| 17 | vs. Seattle Seahawks | Dec. 26, 8:15 p.m. |
| 18 | @ Green Bay Packers | Jan 5, TBD |
Texans 2024 schedule
The Texans opened their season with a divisional matchup against the Colts. The game offered the first regular-season at wide receiver Stefon Diggs in a Texans uniform, and he didn’t disappoint. Diggs finished with 33 yards and two scores on six receptions.
| Week | Opponent (Result) | Date, Time (ET) |
| 1 | vs. Indianapolis Colts (W, 29-27) | — |
| 2 | vs. Chicago Bears | Sept. 15, 8:20 p.m. |
| 3 | @ Minnesota Vikings | Sept. 22, 1 p.m. |
| 4 | vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | Sept. 29, 1 p.m. |
| 5 | vs. Buffalo Bills | Oct. 6, 1 p.m. |
| 6 | @ New England Patriots | Oct. 13, 1 p.m. |
| 7 | @ Green Bay Packers | Oct. 20, 1 p.m. |
| 8 | vs. Indianapolis Colts | Oct. 27, 1 p.m. |
| 9 | @ New York Jets | Oct. 31, 8:15 p.m. |
| 10 | vs. Detroit Lions | Nov. 10, 8:20 p.m. |
| 11 | @ Dallas Cowboys | Nov. 18, 8:15 p.m. |
| 12 | vs. Tennessee Titans | Nov. 24, 1 p.m. |
| 13 | @ Jacksonville Jaguars | Dec. 1, 1 p.m. |
| 14 | BYE WEEK | BYE WEEK |
| 15 | vs. Miami Dolphins | Dec. 15, 1 p.m. |
| 16 | @ Kansas City Chiefs | Dec. 21, 1 p.m. |
| 17 | vs. Baltimore Ravens | Dec. 25, 4:30 p.m. |
| 18 | @ Tennessee Titans | Jan. 5, TBD |
