Week 1 of the NFL season is officially behind us and Week 2 brings an exciting slate of games, highlighted by the Sunday Night Football matchup between the Houston Texans (1-0) and the Chicago Bears (1-0). The game is set to kick off at 8:20 PM EST at NRG Stadium in Houston, and both teams will look to extend their perfect start to the season. Although both teams emerged victorious in their Week 1 games, their paths to victory were starkly different, setting the stage for an intriguing clash under the lights.
NFL Week 2 Sunday Night Football Matchup
The Texans showcased a potent offensive performance in their Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts, scoring 29 points with three offensive touchdowns. Leading the charge was running back Joe Mixon, who racked up an impressive 168 total yards on 30 carries and three receptions, finding the end zone once.
The Texans’ star receiving duo of Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs combined for 12 receptions, 150 yards, and two touchdowns, providing quarterback C.J. Stroud with reliable targets throughout the game. Stroud, a second-year sensation, delivered a solid performance with 247 total yards and, importantly, did not turn the ball over. Overall, it was a clean and promising start for the Texans, who will look to build on their offensive success against the Bears.
In contrast, the Bears’ Week 1 win against the Tennessee Titans was anything but smooth. Despite scoring 24 points, the Bears failed to record an offensive touchdown, relying heavily on their defense and special teams. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, had a historically bad start to his NFL career, completing just 48.2% of his passes for a mere 93 yards. Star receiver DJ Moore was similarly underwhelming, managing only five receptions and 50 total scrimmage yards.
The Bears’ offense was carried by kicker Cairo Santos, who accounted for 10 of the team’s points with three field goals and an extra point. However, the Bears’ defense was excellent, recording two interceptions (including a pick-six), three sacks, and a forced fumble. As these two teams prepare to face off, one will see their winning streak snapped, while the other will continue undefeated.
Check out all of our Week 2 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex
Fantasy Outlook
For the Texans, one specific thing I am paying attention to in Week 2 is how they will distribute the football among their loaded offensive roster. In Week 1, it was Mixon and Diggs who shined, while Collins was alright, and Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz contributed minimally. With so many stars on Houston’s offense, it will be interesting to see who emerges as the key contributors each week. As many fantasy managers know, that is the risk associated with selecting players from stacked offenses.
For the Bears, all eyes will be on Caleb Williams and his potential bounce-back performance. Williams, who was projected to score over 22 fantasy points in Week 1, only managed a whopping 6.15 points. As the first overall pick, Williams carries high expectations and has the talent to make an immediate impact on the field and in fantasy lineups. The big question is whether he will settle in and develop into a reliable fantasy option or if he will struggle as Bryce Young did in his rookie season last year. Williams’ development will be pivotal not only for the Bears’ success but also for fantasy managers who invested in him as a key piece of their rosters.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!