Texans host Bears in first Sunday night football game since they defeated Patriots in 2019: ‘Built for things like this’

HOUSTON – A bit of trickery was an effective strategy for the Texans the last time they hosted a Sunday night football game against the New England Patriots.

Following a handoff to running back Duke Johnson, a second handoff to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and an option pitch back to quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Texans were in the end zone for a touchdown.

Fast forward to Sunday night and the Texans are back in a nationally televised Sunday night game as they’ll host the Chicago Bears and rookie quarterback and top overall pick Caleb Williams at NRG Stadium.

The defending AFC South champions off to a 1-0 start following a season-opening road victory over the Indianapolis Colts are a seven-point favorite.

“Definitely I’m ready, man,” Texans wide receiver Tank Dell said. “I’m built for things like this. I’m built for them type of games. I’m ready, that’s all I can say.”

It’s a sign of the growth of the Texans, who have a franchise-record six national games with four primetime games this season after engineering a dramatic turnaround to finish 11-8 in coach DeMeco Ryans first season that included an AFC wild-card playoff victory over the Cleveland Browns.

“Wherever we play, whoever we play, we’re just excited to get another opportunity to get better and play football,” Ryans said. “So, to have the opportunity to play here in our home stadium on Sunday night, we know our fans will be excited about it. Our players, they are excited about it. We need our place rocking on Sunday night. Show up, be loud, be rowdy. We need it to a true home-field advantage for them communicating on offense and be as loud as possible.”

A year ago, Texans weren’t even an afterthought when the NFL decision-makers planned out the most prestige games on the regular-season schedule.

This year, there’s a Christmas Day afternoon game on Netflix against the Baltimore Ravens. The Texans had zero primetime games a year ago, except for a flexed night game against the Colts that clinched the division title and a playoff spot.

This is the first of two Sunday night NBC games for the Texans, who won a playoff game last season over the Cleveland Browns, including a Nov. 10 home game against the Detroit Lions. The Texans travel to face the New York Jets and former NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers in an Amazon Prime Thursday night game on Oct. 31 against the New York Jets. And they play the Dallas Cowboys on the road in a Monday night game in a battle for who’s the top NFL team in Texas.”

“Your family is watching, so you got to put on for the name on the back of your jersey,” wide receiver Nico Collins said. “Put on for yourself, put on for your city, just have fun and take advantage of every moment. I feel like that’s what we’re about to do. Can’t get no bigger than that.”

The Texans invested heavily in their roster, including trades for Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs and Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon and a two-year, $51 million deal for Pro Bowl defensive end and Morton Ranch graduate Danielle Hunter.

Diggs caught two touchdowns against the Colts. Mixon rushed for 159 yards and one score on a career-high 30 carries at Indianapolis.

The Texans plan to have NRG Stadium’s roof open for this night football game. The stadium was damaged by Hurricane Beryl and is nearly repaired with plans for a full repair by a Week 4 home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Texans principal owner Cal McNair said of the primetime excitement.

Williams is an excellent scrambler who had an anemic debut as a passer, with an NFL-low 93 passing yards in a win over the Tennessee Titans.

The Texans have reviewed Williams’ USC film to prepare for this matchup against the former Heisman Trophy winner.

“All of us have kind of gone back a little bit to college to see the things he did well there,” defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. “I think the word is near elite at making throws out of the pocket. Very, very good, arm talent all day long. He has a real talent to make real plays and make throws outside of the pocket.”'

The Texans allowed a lot of deep balls against the Colts with multiple lapses in coverage.

“What I see offensively is starting with the quarterback, Caleb,I think really an exciting player to watch, strong arm, the guy can move around the pocket, scramble in a throw,” Ryans said. “You have to stay on your coverage because he’s going to find someone downfield. We have to be on the details there when it comes to him moving around in the pocket. We have to make sure we’re sticky as possible in coverage versus them.”

A year ago, the Houston Texans weren’t even an afterthought when the NFL decision-makers planned out the most prestigious part of their schedule.

It’s a moment for the franchise, which has brand-new uniforms, including white-on-white jerseys and pants for this game.

The Texans, led by Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud, have improved significantly.

“I’m always going to be myself,” Stroud said. “I really don’t get into the hoopla and away crowd, home crowd. I really don’t mind. I just try to execute and do my game, do what I need to do at a high level. I hope since it’s a night game, people come a little earlier.

“Maybe because of the Houston traffic, people come a little late. And then on offense, if they could be quiet a little more, that would help. Especially when we’re going fast, it’s hard for the guys to hear me. So, I think we can be a little better with that. But, hey, we love the energy.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com