The Houston Texans at Chicago Bears matchup looked so enticing on paper just a few months ago. Sadly the downturn of both franchises has made it considerably less than must-see TV. One team is already looking to 2021 and the other isn’t far behind. It becomes a case of which of them can build a little momentum for the future.
Right now the Bears are just trying to stop a six-game skid that is threatening to get everybody fired from the head coach to the GM and possibly even the team president. Ownership is furious and a seventh-straight loss to a 4-8 opponent probably won’t help their cause.
Can they finally get back in the win column? Here’s a breakdown of Sunday’s “big” matchup.
Houston Texans at Chicago Bears breakdown
Storylines:
Deshaun Watson vs. Mitch Trubisky – Patrick Mahomes got his shot at Trubisky last year and completely outclassed him. Now another fellow 2017 draft alum in Watson is aiming to do the same thing. Trubisky is just trying to save his job at this point with time running out. Watson secured his long-term extension and is aiming to finish this season strong. Getting a chance to twist the knife on Chicago for passing on him would certainly be a fun subplot to an otherwise crummy season.
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Demise of the Bears defense? – Did age finally catch up to the Bears defense? It’s hard not to feel that way the past few weeks, watching them give up 68 points and nearly 900 yards of offense. Where’s the energy, aggression, or speed? The pass rush has fallen dormant and they still can’t force turnovers. People keep calling it the strength of the team. Can that even be stated anymore at this point?
Injuries:
Buster Skrine (concussion) – While nobody will ever call him a star, Skrine has remained a dependable member of the Bears secondary as their primary slot cornerback. However, what is documented to be his sixth-career concussion has sidelined him and the team has already shut him down for Sunday. That opens up a noteworthy void in their coverage.
David Johnson (family issue) – The primary running back for the Texans hasn’t been worth the return in that DeAndre Hopkins trade but he still is a contributor to their ground game. Him being out for Sunday makes life that much tougher in terms of maintaining any sort of balance. Houston hasn’t run the ball well most of the season.
Key matchups:
Cole Kmet vs. Zach Cunningham – One good thing coming out of the past few weeks is how the Bears have gotten Kmet more involved in the offense. It’s been producing results too. He’s already a red zone weapon and is improving in other areas. Cunningham has been a weakness in coverage all season, allowing a 133.6 passer rating when targeted.
Tytus Howard vs. Khalil Mack – Robert Quinn is looking more and more like the biggest free agent bust in recent Bears history. So asking him to create pressure against Laremy Tunsil feels unlikely. That means it will fall to Mack who is going through a dry spell of his own. To say nothing of his injury issues. The Bears need him to have a good game against a decent tackle in Howard.
X-factors:
Keke Coutee – It was surprising that Coutee never seemed able to get going the past few years despite his obvious talent. Sure enough almost the moment Bill O’Brien gets fired, he starts to blossom. The young receiver just got done hanging 141 yards on Indianapolis. Now he’s facing a Bears defense that will be missing its starting nickel corner.
David Montgomery – Houston’s defense is a shell of what it once was. Their pass rush isn’t dominant anymore and their run defense is the second-worst in the entire league. Montgomery has really started to assert himself the past two weeks with 175 yards and two touchdowns on just 28 carries. Stopping him will be a challenge for the Texans.
Prediction: Texans win 28-21
Unless the Chicago Bears pass rush suddenly discovers that extra gear they’ve been missing? Expect Watson to have a big day on them. Despite less than ideal circumstances, he’s continued to play outstanding football. Montgomery and that ground game might be able to limit his opportunities to see the field but history says the Bears offense will fade down the stretch, allowing the opponent to take advantage.
