(2) Curtailing the Texans’ explosive offense

Reigning AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud quarterbacks an all-star collection of skill-position players, including receivers Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins and running back Joe Mixon. Houston traded Diggs and Mixon during the offseason, and the two newcomers combined to score all three of the Texans’ touchdowns in Sunday’s 29-27 season-opening win over the Colts.

Stroud threw for 234 yards with two touchdowns and a 115.9 passer rating. Diggs had six receptions for 33 yards and two TDs. Collins caught six passes for 117 yards. And Mixon rushed for 159 yards and one TD on a career-high 30 carries, the most yards by an NFL running back in Week 1. That performance helped the Texans hold the ball for 40:00 and run 76 plays to the Colts’ 43.

In 2023, Stroud had one of the best rookie years in league history, throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 100.8 passer rating in leading the Texans to the AFC South championship. His 25-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio since the start of the 2023 season is the best in the NFL.

“He’s an all-around quarterback,” cornerback Tyrique Stevenson said. “When the pocket closes, he can get out there with his feet. He can make all the throws. He’s a great quarterback. He showed you guys last year what he could do coming into his rookie season, taking this team where they needed to go to make the playoffs.”

The Bears will look to counter with a defense that held the Titans scoreless in the second half last Sunday, setting up the go-ahead touchdown on Stevenson’s 43-yard interception return of a Will Levis pass. With their rush and coverage working together, the Bears allowed just 104 yards passing, the second-fewest in Week 1.

“Good challenge for us this week,” defensive coordinator Eric Washington said. “The first one is to get the defense to make sure we’re playing at our level for four quarters in every aspect of what we do with all of our values, our culture, and then just stopping the run and just doing everything we can to elevate our level of play this week: our discipline, ball production, hitting the quarterback, just being efficient on first and second down. We want to make sure we make a significant jump this week.”