4 things to watch for when the Chicago Bears host the Houston Texans

Chicago Bears’ run defense needs to bounce back from a horrible night at Green Bay.

The Packers shredded the Bears for 205 yards on the ground. Aaron Jones gained 132 yards and averaged 8.8 yards a carry. The Packers’ offensive line pushed around the Bears’ defensive front to open up holes.

Lovie Smith-coached teams love to get off the bus running. Combine the Bears’ struggles to stop the run with Lovie’s affection for the ground game and you can be certain the Texans will want to run the football.

The Chicago Bears defense is prone to give up yards on the ground. It happens when you emphasize speed and pass rushing ability over size at the defensive tackle position. The Bears need tackles Justin Jones, Angelo Blackson, Armon Watts, and Mike Pennel to avoid getting shoved around all the time.

Roquan Smith also has to do a better job of avoiding blockers to get to the running back. He was getting pushed around at Green Bay by the tight ends, wide receivers, and linemen. Smith might be limited on Sunday as he did not practice all week with an injury.

The other reason the Texans will test the Bears’ run defense is second-year quarterback Davis Mills is fair at best on the road. He has completed just 60.6% of his passes on the road compared to 68.6% at home. In Houston, he has thrown 14 touchdown passes and just one interception. Away from Reliant Stadium, he has thrown four touchdowns and nine picks.

Mills’ struggles are much on the same level as another fellow second-year quarterback. Justin Fields playing well is something to be on the lookout for.