Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Zalubowski/AP/Shutterstock (13400510jt) Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (13) during an NFL football game, in Denver Texans Broncos Football, Denver, United States – 18 Sep 2022
Houston Texans vs. Chicago Bears: By The Numbers
Through two weeks, the teams are very similar.
The Houston Texans (0-1-1) will take on the Chicago Bears (1-1) at Soldier Field this Sunday. A look inside the numbers shows a lot of similarities between the two teams and a few notable differences.
Offensively both teams have struggled. Each team has scored exactly 29 points thus far, which ties them for 27th in the NFL. However, it goes deeper.
The Texans are 29th in Yards/Game with 266.5. The Bears’ 216 Yards/Game is dead last.
Chicago’s 4.45 Yards/Play is 29th in the league, Houston’s 4.20 Yards/Play is dead last.
The Texans are tied for 25th in First Downs/Game at 17.5. The Bears are dead last at 13 First Downs/Game.
Both teams struggle converting third downs, with Chicago’s conversion percentage of 28.57% (T-26th) and Houston’s 25% (T-30th) at the bottom of the league.
Each team’s time of possession (Houston’s 26:42, 27th and Chicago’s 24:39, 29th) is also at the league’s bottom.
However, the teams do arrive at their numbers quite differently, as the Bears have been able to run the football effectively but have been an awful passing team.
Chicago’s 139.5 Rush Yards/Game is 8th in the NFL. David Montgomery is averaging 4.6 YPC, and his backup Khalil Herbert averages a very strong 6.4 YPC. QB Justin Fields is also a threat to run.
For the Texans, their running game is still a work in progress. Week 1 saw Rex Burkhead with 14 carries compared to Dameon Pierce’s 11, and in Week 2, Pierce had 15 carries and Burkhead none. Overall, Houston’s 78.5 Rush Yards/Game is 27th in the NFL.
The passing game is a different story. Despite the fourth-quarter struggles of the Texans’ offensive line and Davis Mills’ poor performance in Week 2 in Denver, the Texans have still been a far better passing team than the Bears, even though Houston’s 188 Pass Yards/Game ranks 25th.
How is it possible that the Texans have been far better than Chicago when they are 25th? The Bears are dead last, averaging a 1935-esque 76.5 Pass Yards/Game. While you may think that the Bears playing Week 1 in a slop fest in Chicago that saw the field more closely resemble a slip-n-slide, Chicago actually had more passing yards (121) against San Francisco in the slop than they did Week 2 (70) vs. Green Bay.
Defensively, both teams have some unflattering numbers as well. The Bears have been better in pass defense and getting to the quarterback, while the Texans have been better in key situations.
Chicago has allowed 372.5 Yards/Game, ranking 22nd, though it did play a game in the slop vs. the Trey Lance-led 49ers. The Texans have allowed 433.5 Yards/Game (including allowing 517 yards to the Colts in their Week 1 OT game), ranking 31st.
Both teams are near even in Yards/Play allowed, with Houston ranking 17th (5.59) and Chicago 18th (5.60).
Both teams have had some struggles stopping the run. The Texans are allowing 163.0 Rush Yards/Game (29th). Meanwhile, the Bears are surrendering an eye-popping 189.5 Rush Yards/Game (31st).
Passing defense is where the Bears have been better, as their 183.0 Pass Yards/Game ranks 7th in the league. Houston’s 270.5 Pass Yards/Game is 27th.
Chicago has been more successful at rushing the quarterback, generating sacks on 9.43% of pass attempts, good for 7th in the league. The Texans have been more middle of the pack, generating sacks on 6.17% of dropbacks, ranking 19th.
Key situations are where the Houston defense has been better. The Texans are tied for 8th in 3rd down percentage, holding opponents to a 33.3% conversion rate (T-8th). The Bears allow opponents to convert on third down 50% of the time, which is 26th.
Houston’s red zone defense has been surprisingly good in the early going, holding opponents to a 28.57% red zone conversion percentage (T-4th). The Bears haven’t been as good, but their 50% red zone conversion percentage is tied for 11th.
In Goal to Go situations, Houston is 7th, allowing opponents to convert Goal to Go to touchdowns only 20% of the time. Chicago is tied for 11th at 50%.
Both teams have been outgained significantly this season. The Bears’ -156.5 Yard Differential/Game is 30th; Houston is right behind them at -167, 31st.
Overall, these two teams have mostly similar numbers through two weeks. Hopefully, the Texans can improve on theirs first, starting Sunday at Soldier Field.