Pictured: C.J. Stroud. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images.
Originally posted on Action Network | By Sam Farley | Last updated 9/14/24
We’re set for an intriguing NFL Week 2 "Sunday Night Football" clash between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC) as the first pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams, takes on the second pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, C.J. Stroud.
I'm all over Bears vs. Texans player props for "Sunday Night Football," with four "SNF" props that target various markets, including passing yards, rushing yards and anytime touchdowns.
Bears vs. Texans
Sunday, Sept. 15
8:20 p.m. ET
NBC
Sam Farley's Bears vs. Texans Player Props for 'SNF'
- Caleb Williams Under 216.5 Passing Yards (-113, FanDuel)
- CJ Stroud Under 269.5 Passing Yards (-120, Caesars)
- Joe Mixon Over 70.5 Rushing Yards (-110, BetRivers)
- Dalton Schultz Anytime Touchdown (+290, FanDuel)
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Pick: Caleb Williams Under 216.5 Passing Yards (-113, FanDuel)
Caleb Williams struggled in his NFL debut as he completed just 14-of-29 of his passing attempts for a paltry 93 yards against the Titans.
The Texans defense isn’t as good as that of the Titans', but 216 passing yards is a high total given that Williams was nowhere near that mark last week.
The Bears struggled on the ground against the Titans, but they likely won't give up on their rushing attack in an attempt to put less pressure on Williams. Chicago's banged-up receiving corps won’t help Williams either.
Pick: Caleb Williams Under 216.5 Passing Yards (-113)
Pick: C.J. Stroud Under 269.5 Passing Yards (-120, Caesars)
We all expected the Texans to put total faith in C.J. Stroud, especially with Stefon Diggs joining Nico Collins and Tank Dell, in what is surely the best receiving room in the NFL. However, the team leaned heavily on Joe Mixon, who had in incredible 30 carries that he turned into 159 yards and a touchdown in Week 1.
The Bears defense is an upgrade on that of the Colts, against whom Stroud threw for 234 yards, and he’s unlikely to have a big day.
Titans QB Will Levis managed just 127 passing yards and threw two interceptions against the Bears last week. If Mixon can keep pounding the rock successfully, are we really likely to see Stroud put up 270+ yards? It seems unlikely.
Pick: CJ Stroud Under 269.5 Passing Yards (-120)
Pick: Joe Mixon Over 70.5 Rushing Yards (-110, BetRivers)
This shouldn't come as a surprise given I alluded to it above, but I'm going to back Mixon to go over 70.5 rushing yards. It’s a line that’s already risen up from 66.5 and might continue to grow.
Mixon looked rejuvenated in a Texans uniform and gave the team something they haven’t really had in a long time: a dominant running back.
Tony Pollard managed 5.1 yards per carry against the Bears last week, turning 16 carries in 82 yards, with Tyjae Spears having a similar YPC in limited carries.
Mixon is a better back than those two — if the Texans give him even two-thirds of the 30 carries he got last week, then I'm confident he could top 70.5 rushing yards.
Pick: Joe Mixon Over 70.5 Rushing Yards (-110)
Pick: Dalton Schultz Anytime Touchdown (+290, FanDuel)
Given that the Texans boast the NFL’s best group of wideouts, it might seem strange that we’re taking tight end Dalton Schultz to score a touchdown. He only had three targets last week but he caught all three — although none were in the red zone.
It’s early days, but the Bears were one of only three teams to allow a touchdown to a TE last week, with Chig Okonkwo scoring on his one red-zone target.
Schultz is a big-body guy and with the Bears defense dealing with Diggs, Dell and Collins, there’s every chance that Schultz could be the man to profit.
