Expectations are high in Houston, as the Texans begin the defense of their AFC South divisional title with a Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the Texans' past 5 games.
- The Texans are 8-1 SU in their past 9 games as a favorite.
- The Bears are 1-11 SU and 2-10 ATS in their past 12 as an underdog of 5.5 or fewer points.
The Texans eked out a 9-7 straight-up record in 2015, and their third division crown in five years, on the strength of a solid stretch run, posting outright and against the spread wins in seven of their final nine regular season contests.
Houston also dominated in the preseason, going 4-0 SU and ATS, including three wins by double-digit margins.
Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler impressed in a pair of August appearances, and tossed two touchdowns to power the Denver Broncos to a 17-15 win in Chicago last November.
The Bears open the new season looking for answers after struggling to a 1-3 SU preseason finish.
Chicago ended 2015 in last place in the NFC North with a 6-10 record, including SU and ATS losses in four of their final five, but played surprisingly well on the road, going 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five, all as betting underdogs.
However, Chicago has never claimed a SU win against the Texans, failing to cover in three all-time meetings, including a 31-24 loss in their only previous road date against Houston, four years ago.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Houston Texans were listed as -4.5-point favorites at Sportsbook and other online Sportsbooks, with the total listed at one point at 45.5.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 27-12 win for the Texans. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Chicago Bears vs Houston Texans Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Houston battles the Chicago Bears, currently with a 6-10 mark (8-8 ATS). The over under records, important for totals betting, are 8-9 for the Texans and 8-8 for the Bears. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Houston vs Chicago injuries news.
The Odds Shark Power Rankings have the Houston Texans at No. 9 and the Chicago Bears at No. 15 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Houston Texans No. 26-ranked offense (19.94 PPG) against a Chicago Bears defense that ranks No. 20 at 24.81 PPG. The Texans passing attack has averaged 232.06 yards per game, more than the Bears give up through the air (224.56 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Chicago Bears own the league's No. 24-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 126.5 yards per game when on the road. Houston, on the other hand, rates No. 12 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time out, Chicago got 2 scoring strikes from Jay Cutler in a 24-20 loss against Detroit.
- Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games
- Chicago is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
- Houston is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
- Houston is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games
- Houston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Chicago home to Philadelphia, Monday, September 19th
Houston home to Kansas City, Sunday, September 18th
