Weather delays, fumbles and huge completions were in the recipe for a fun Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, August 1. The Chicago Bears won over the Houston Texans, 21-17. Both teams dominating and making statements for their respective Class of 2024 inductees.
The Texans started hot, with a 13-play, 74-yard opening scoring drive. A Davis Mills to Teagan Quitoriano set up a short success run for Mills for his snaps. After the Bears failed to respond when a false start ruined their 4th and 1, the Texans were quickly back in action.
The team came away with a field goal at the top of the second quarter, and that seemed to be the last time the Texans would be comfortable in this game.
Plus – Check out my halftime reactions here.
For the rest of the night, we would hear from Bears’ wide receiver Collin Johnson making big plays, starting with a wide-open, 20-yard touchdown.
The Texans responded with a powerful Cam Akers-Case Keenum duo that resulted in a quick touchdown to seal a comfortable lead – only for 58 seconds when the Bears responded.
The Bears took control of the lead after another Johnson touchdown. After the Texans had a string of struggles with a sack, fumble and flag that led to a muffed punt, the Texans got the ball back but couldn’t do anything with the ball.
With 3:31 to go in the third quarter, the seemingly not as strong weather turned into a potential hazard as the game was suspended. This means the Bears managed to walk away with the win, honoring the former Bears’ who would be inducted this weekend.
Takeaways
Collin Johnson: This guy is going to be an incredible asset to the Chicago Bears as they look to turn their luck around this season. Johnson finished the night with three receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns and I think it’s worth keeping an eye on him throughout the rest of the preseason.
Davis Mills: Mills is another standout player from the game’s matchup. Mills went 10-for-13 for 102 yards and one touchdown, but watching this guy play, you felt a sense of confidence in the Texans if C.J. Stroud were to be injured this season.
Flags: Flags were killer for both teams yesterday and the Bears might’ve had a longer lead if it weren’t for the three flags in the first quarter that pushed them back 15 yards. The Texans had just one more flag, pushing them back 30 yards. Both teams had flags during the NFL Dynamic Kickoff, so it’s to be expected that both teams are getting used to the new rules. But for the other flags, both teams need to get that situation under control. I don’t care if it’s only preseason, flags are going to be a never-ending issue until you learn cleaner football.
NFL Dynamic Kickoff: Speaking of the NFL Dynamic Kickoff, people have had mixed reactions to the new rule. There’s a handful of things players can and cannot do, so it’s going to be a learning curve for the league. According to NFL Operations, “the kicker cannot cross the 50-yard line until the ball touches the ground or layer in the landing zone or end zone. The ten kicking team players cannot move until the ball hits the ground or player in the landing zone or the end zone.” This only scratches the surface of what the players are able and unable to do.
Solid backup QBs: Since C. J. Stroud and Caleb Williams didn’t suit up, we got to see some solid backup quarterbacks from both teams. Mills had an outstanding night, Case Keenum paired with Cam Akers a few times. Keenum also finished the night going 7-for-9 for 78 yards and one touchdown. Bears’ Brett Rypien had quite the much-needed comeback night, going 11-for-15 for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Tyson Bagent got a taste of the action going 2-for-3 for 16 yards. Both Rypien and Mills look like solid backups to their respective quarterbacks.
Brett Rypien: To continue the Rypien conversation, he had a much-needed night following the buzz of a quarterback battle in Chicago. Rypien connected with Johnson often and made big plays in (literal) crunch time, almost wiping his mistakes on the field from the past.
First & Jenn 
Leave a comment