5 Texans players to watch vs. Bears

A battle of two undefeated teams takes place under the lights on Sunday night. The Chicago Bears (1-0) get set to face off against the Houston Texans (1-0) on Sunday Night Football. Each victory in Week 1 came in different fashion, though. The Bears had a furious second half last weekend to come back and win against the Tennessee Titans, while the Texans had a competitive back-and-forth affair with the Indianapolis Colts.

Both teams are undefeated to begin the year but have differing expectations. Houston is a Super Bowl contender after assembling a star-studded team built around their second-year quarterback, CJ Stroud. Chicago, meanwhile, is hoping to now enter their playoff window with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and a strong roster to complement him. This game will provide a good measuring stick for how they stack up with one of the NFL's best.

In order to get the victory, though, they will need to keep a few Texans players in check. Here are five Houston players to watch on Sunday night:

1. QB CJ Stroud

Williams said he isn't looking to emulate his rookie season after anyone, but if he had to choose a player, CJ Stroud would be at the top of the list. The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year has started his sophomore season out on the right foot, completing 24 of 32 passes for 234 yards, two scores, and no turnovers. He was efficient in the pocket and made sure his receivers had big days, with two players eclipsing 100 receiving yards.

Stroud is considered one of the best young quarterbacks in the game, and it's easy to see why. He takes care of the football, is cool under pressure, and can make special throws at the most important times. Stopping him will not be easy, but this Bears defense is more equipped than most to get the job done.

2. RB Joe Mixon

If there were any concerns about a possible falloff from Joe Mixon, he silenced those doubters last Sunday with an excellent performance. Mixon, in his first year as the Texans lead running back, rushed 30 times for 159 yards and a touchdown. He was fed the ball all game long, but particularly in the second half as he wore the Colts defense out. He may not have as much luck going against the Bears defense, though.

After getting gashed early by Tony Pollard, the Bears run defense tightened up against the Tennessee Titans. They didn't allow Tennessee to cross midfield, and stopping the rushing attack was a big reason why. The Texans are more balanced, though, and Mixon has shown he can clearly get the job done. He'll see plenty of carries, but it remains to be seen how much he does with them going against the likes of Andrew Billings and DeMarcus Walker.

3. WR Tank Dell

The Bears aren't the only team with a strong receiving corps. The Texans have their own three-headed monster at wide receiver, with Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, and Tank Dell at Stroud's disposal. While Collins carried the load last Sunday against the Colts with a 100-yard receiving game and Diggs will see plenty of targets, Dell is the team's X factor at the position.

Dell notched three catches for 40 yards in Week 1 on seven targets, one shy of Collins. He gives Houston a player who can change games, though, with how he can take the top off the defense. He's a smaller receiver who plays the slot position, putting the pressure on cornerback Kyler Gordon. If Dell has a big game, it could mean bad things for the Bears defense. Collins and Diggs will get their catches, but Dell is a true home-run threat.

4. DE Danielle Hunter

The Texans have a pair of disruptive edge rushers who could wreak havoc on the Bears' offensive gameplan. 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson will draw plenty of eyes, but Danielle Hunter will be the player the Bears will need to watch. Hunter signed with Houston after spending a decade with the Minnesota Vikings. He knows the Bears well and had plenty of success when facing them last year.

In two games in 2023, Hunter totaled 12 solo tackles, four for loss, 3.5 sacks, five QB hits, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup. In other words, he dominated against them. He and Anderson could both have big games against this offensive line, but given Hunter's success in previous years, he's the one to watch on Sunday night.

5. CB Derek Stingley

Cornerback Derek Stingley may not get the same praise and accolades as some of the other players at his position, but he's a great defensive back in his own right. Stingley has put up Pro Bowl-caliber numbers over the first two years of his career, and he got off to a decent start in 2024. Though he was in coverage for Anthony Richardson's incredible long completion to Alec Pierce, Stingley didn't get charged for the touchdown.

Through two full seasons, Stingley has only been charged with two touchdowns while in coverage and had an opposing quarterback rating of 41.3 in 2023, according to Pro Football Reference. He's a taller cornerback with a ton of speed, making him a tough matchup for almost any receiver. He'll be a tough draw for DJ Moore or Keenan Allen on Sunday evening.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 5 Texans players to watch vs. Bears