Bears vs. Texans: Causes for concern for Chicago in Week 2

The Chicago Bears (1-0) will have a tough challenge ahead of them on Sunday when they face the Houston Texans (1-0), and this is a game that will serve as a measuring stick for where this team's at in just the second week of the 2024 NFL season.

Hitting the road to face a Texans team many have pegged as Super Bowl contenders -- and on Sunday Night Football, no doubt -- the Bears will either show they can quickly bounce back and get their offense in rhythm after a poor Week 1, or they'll prove that they're not ready to compete with a team that made the playoffs and took the league by storm last season.

Heading into the first prime-time matchup of the Caleb Williams era, here are some causes for concern as Chicago takes on the reigning AFC South Champions.

1. No offensive rhythm

It feels like it has been a common theme looking back at the regular season opening win against the Titans: this Bears team had no consistency in their offense and it was beyond disappointing. Not only was this team carried by the defense and special teams, Will Levis and the Titans handed the win back to Chicago on a silver platter, but that doesn't mean they should feel any confidence on offense heading into Week 2.

Facing a Texans defense led by Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. as pass rushers, Jalen Pitre in their secondary, and a fantastic head coach in DeMeco Ryans, there will be no givens on offense for the Bears. Not only is there danger presented by the Texans, but Chicago needs to figure out their offensive plan quickly. DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze, the top receiving targets on the team were only together for 10 of the 53 total offensive plays. Include tight end Cole Kmet playing less than half of the snaps, none of it adds up to making sense, leading to production, or a reason for victory. If the Bears want to get it right in Week 2, they'll have to show massive improvements in their offensive game plan.

2. Bears could be without two of their top receivers

Unfortunately, those offensive improvements might have to come with an injury-riddled roster. In fact, the Bears could very well be without two of their top three receivers when they face the Texans on Sunday night. Rookie Rome Odunze suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain in last Sunday's season opener, and he's officially "day-to-day." While Chicago hasn't ruled him out just yet, it would be a huge surprise if he plays. Allen certainly has a better chance to play, although the fact that he hasn't practiced this week through Thursday isn't an encouraging sign. It'll be something to monitor heading into Sunday night.

While Chicago has one of the best receiving trios in the league, the concern rested with their depth. Behind DJ Moore, Allen and Odunze, it's Tyler Scott, DeAndre Carter and Velus Jones Jr. It wouldn't be a surprise to see them elevate Collin Johnson from the practice squad. But if both Odunze and Allen can't go, this could be a big game for Scott and tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett.

3. Houston's strength on both sides of the ball:

The aforementioned Houston defense will look to make life difficult for a reeling offense, but that's only half of the reason to be concerned. For only the fourth time in NFL history, a pair of teammates won the league's Offense and Defense Rookie Of the Year awards, Anderson and quarterback C.J. Stroud. There in lies another major problem coming into Sunday night: Stroud not only had a fantastic rookie season, one of the best in recent history for a quarterback, the team around him got better.

Adding running back Joe Mixon and receiver Stefon Diggs to an offense that was already thriving has all the makings of serious problems for the Chicago defense. It may be up to one of Week 1's heroes, defensive end Darrell Taylor, to be tasked with showing consistency and bringing over more from his two-sack performance against Tennessee. Cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson will once again be tested throughout this game, and they must pass the test. Stevenson had the game-winning pick-six last week, but it will likely not come as easy as it did against Tennessee. This may be another game in which the defense may have to carry the team once again.

4. Prime time pressure

This not just about the pressure on the offense to turn it around and not be embarrassing on Sunday Night Football, it's about the team's recent history. Dating back to 2014, the Bears have not won a Sunday Night Football game in their last seven matchups, the last coming in a victory against the Los Angeles Rams, 15-6, in 2018, where the only offensive touchdown Chicago scored was a two-yard reception from offensive lineman Bradley Sowell.

There could be magic in store from the offensive side of the ball, but stepping up and staying toe-to-toe with Houston will be crucial for the entire game, not just one trick play. That may be difficult with lingering issues as for the second consecutive day as of this writing, both Allen and Odunze did not practice. This offense, with Williams getting all the attention as the top pick in this class, labeled as a potential quarterback savior for this franchise, will need all weapons available to him to step up and produce.

Whether or not the Bears can compete among the best of them may not be a question that's answered quickly this season. But whether or not they can stop from embarrassing themselves and having critics bring up their long history of failed quarterbacks, all can be answered to a point on Sunday Night Football. This may not be a pretty game, and especially if one, or both, of those wide receivers are to miss the game, one thing that fans should hope for is at least more consistency from the offense. Sustainable drives down the field producing in points, allowing Williams time in the pocket and to make plays, these are all things that should be imperative for Shane Waldron and the offensive coaches.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Texans: Causes for concern for Chicago in Week 2