Week 2 Bears Bets After a Tough Offensive Week 1

Betting the Quarterback

We won't reiterate in this article what an awful day that Caleb Williams had, but I would iterate that offensive coordinator Shane Waldron had an equally horrible day. Screen passes and draw plays on long yardage downs are classic Bears strategies from the 1970's. Losing yards on first down is a Luke Getsy special that I thought Waldron would put to rest.

Houston played the Colts last week, and their quarterback, Anthony Richardson, didn't play much last year as a rookie because he was injured right away. His 9-19 showing against Houston in Week 1 this year isn't much to brag about, but he did produce 212 yards on just 9 completions and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown and so did RB Jonathan Taylor, but he only averaged 3 yards a carry.

Regardless, the Colts quarterback scored three touchdowns on Houston last week.

According to NFL.com, Houston gave up the least amount of passing touchdowns in the NFL last year, but they gave up two to Richardson in Week 1. They gave up the 8th most passing yards in 2023, and were middle of pack, ranking 17th, in opposing quarterback passer rating. PFF also ranked the Houston defense 16th last year and put them in the very average Cluster 3.

Houston provides Williams with another good opportunity if the national spotlight isn't too big of a moment for him. Draft Kings is giving him the benefit of the doubt and providing even money (+105) for 225 yards and paying no money (-195) for 200 yards.

I am still gun shy on Williams.

Results: Don't bet Williams.