- NFL preseason begins Wednesday with the Hall of Fame game
- The Texans are now favored over the Bears after opening as the underdog
- Read below for Bears vs Texans odds, predictions & props for the Hall of Fame game
Football is back! The 2024 NFL preseason kicks off with the Hall of Fame Game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans on Thursday, August 1. The game will be televised on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, and ESPN Deportes, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. EST at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
The odds for this game have shifted since the initial release, with the Texans now favored by 1.5 points after opening as the underdog. The total is set at a modest 31.5 points. Neither starting quarterback, Chicago’s Caleb Williams and Houston’s CJ Stroud, are expected to suit up for this one.
Here is a look at the Hall of Fame Game odds for 2024, along with our betting prediction and prop bets.
Chicago Bears vs Houston Texans Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texans | -1.5 (-110) | -125 | Over 31.5 (-110) |
| Bears | +1.5 (+105) | -110 | Under 31.5 (-110) |
In the NFL Hall of Fame Game odds for 2024, Houston is the -125 moneyline favorite, which is a 55.6% implied probability. Houston originally opened as the +110 underdog, but the line flipped when Chicago’s starters were officially ruled out.
Odds as of July 31, 2024, at BetMGM Sportsbook. Check out the best football betting promo codes for NFL preseason Week 1.
How to Watch
If you’re looking to catch the action, here’s how you can tune in:
- Date: Thursday, August 1, 2024
- Time: 8 p.m. EST
- Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio
- TV Channels: ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes
- Live Stream: ESPN+
Chicago Bears Betting Analysis
Chicago is coming off a 7-10 season in 2023, but there’s plenty of optimism surrounding the team after drafting quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. While Williams isn’t expected to see any action in this game, the Bears have a intriguing backup quarterback battle brewing.
Tyson Bagent, Austin Reed, and Brett Rypien are all vying for a roster spot behind Williams. With the motivation to prove themselves, these signal-callers could bring an extra level of intensity to the Hall of Fame Game.
Back-up QB Tyson Bagent was asked if he thought about whether the #Bears would bring in a back-up QB to compete for his job and watch what happens next.
This kid is awesome!
(via @BarroomNetwork)pic.twitter.com/C03rQBSkk0
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 29, 2024
The Bears also boast a strong rushing attack, ranking second in the NFL last season with 141.1 yards per game. Expect Chicago to lean on its deep stable of running backs and powerful offensive line in this contest.
Head coach Matt Eberflus has a proven track record in the preseason, going 4-2 straight up in his exhibition games. Chicago only went 1-2 in the 2023 preseason; however, the Bears were competitive in each game, keeping the losses within one score.
Houston Texans Betting Analysis
Houston is fresh off a surprising 10-7 season that included a trip to the Divisional Round of the playoffs. However, don’t expect to see much of sensational sophomore quarterback C.J. Stroud in this game.
Instead, the Texans will likely turn to veteran backups Davis Mills and Case Keenum. Mills started 26 games over the past two seasons before Stroud’s arrival, while Keenum is entering his 11th NFL campaign. Houston also has Tim Boyle in the quarterback room, giving them plenty of experienced options to eat up preseason snaps.
Davis Mills Podium SZN! pic.twitter.com/u87xuiY0Gy
— Landry Locker (@LandryLocker) July 30, 2024
The Texans have no shortage of depth at wide receiver, with established players like Brandin Cooks and promising young talents in John Metchie III and Xavier Hutchinson. However, it remains to be seen how much run the starters will get in this exhibition opener.
On the other side of the ball, Houston’s defense will be worth monitoring. The Texans allowed 234.1 passing yards per game last season, ranking just 24th in the league. Rookies like cornerback Kamari Lassiter will have a chance to make an immediate impact and help shore up the secondary.
Texans has gone 2-1 in the NFL preseason under current coach DeMeco Ryans. However, they’ve failed to surpass 20 points in any of those games and were blown out 28-3 by Miami in their second exhibition contest one season ago.
NFL Hall of Fame Game Props
This section will be updated with Texans vs Bears player props closer to game time once both teams’ starting rosters are confirmed.
Chicago Bears vs Houston Texans Prediction
Hall of Fame Games are notoriously difficult to predict, with so many unknowns surrounding playing time and vanilla schemes. However, there are a few factors pointing in the Bears’ direction.
Chicago’s impressive preseason track record under head coach Eberflus is certainly noteworthy. The Bears have been one of the NFL’s highest-scoring teams in August over the past two years, and they have the quarterback depth to keep that trend going.
Unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the NFL continues in Bears country.
The HBO Original Series #HardKnocks Training Camp with the Chicago Bears premieres pic.twitter.com/WH3yfEh15r
— Max (@StreamOnMax) July 30, 2024
The Bears’ motivation to find a capable backup behind Caleb Williams could also give them an edge over the Texans, who have more stability in the quarterback room with Davis Mills and Case Keenum.
Ultimately, Chicago’s strong rushing attack, defensive depth, and aggressive coaching philosophy make them my best bet for the NFL Hall of Fame Game. I’ll take the 1.5 points and bank on the Bears starting the preseason on a high note.
In addition to backing Chicago, I’m also leaning towards the Under 31.5 points, with both teams likely to rely on their ground games. All three of the Texans’ exhibition games last year fell below this total, and the past five Hall of Fame Games have averaged a combined 30.2 points.
2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game Picks:
- Chicago Bears +1.5 (-110)
- Under 31.5 Points (-110)
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