Texans vs. Bears HOF Game Has Fans Excited for 2024 NFL Season; Williams, Odunze Out
August 2, 2024
Football is back.
The first game of the NFL's preseason took place Thursday as the Houston Texans took on the Chicago Bears in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The Bears won the matchup 21-17, though the game was delayed and then terminated in the third quarter due to inclement weather.
As is the case with many preseason games, some notable stars did not participate while looking to avoid injuries before the start of the year. That included a pair of exciting Bears rookies in quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze, the No. 1 and No. 9 picks, respectively.
One of the biggest storylines of Thursday's game was the NFL's new kickoff rules. The rules were put in place to both protect players from high-speed collisions as well as promote big kick returns.
While there weren't any huge returns in the first game with the new rule, it was interesting to see what kickoffs will look like this season.
NFL @NFLFor the first time... the Dynamic Kickoff ๐<br><br>๐บ: <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a> Game on ESPN/ABC<br>๐ฑ: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/wga0LmuvtH">pic.twitter.com/wga0LmuvtH</a>
Preseason is a perfect opportunity for players to prove themselves before real action starts. That was certainly the case for Bears receiver Collin Johnson, who finished Thursday's game with 56 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns.
NFL @NFLBrett Rypien finds Collin Johnson for SIX.<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChicagoBears</a> are on the board!<br><br>๐บ: <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a> Game on ESPN/ABC<br>๐ฑ: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/al5is67yt2">pic.twitter.com/al5is67yt2</a>
NFL @NFL3 catches. 56 yards. 2 TD.<a href="https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChicagoBears</a> WR Collin Johnson is having himself a game.<br><br>๐บ: <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a> Game on ESPN/ABC<br>๐ฑ: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/KNqO3HlVxM">pic.twitter.com/KNqO3HlVxM</a>
Tommy Sweeney also found the endzone on a 22-yard reception from Brett Rypien.
NFL @NFLRypien rips it to Tommy Sweeney for the 22-yard TD!<br><br>๐บ: <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a> Game on ESPN/ABC<br>๐ฑ: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/RHdtkxAzIc">pic.twitter.com/RHdtkxAzIc</a>
On the Texans' side, quarterbacks Davis Mills and Case Keenum put together solid games, each throwing for a touchdown.
NFL @NFLDavis Mills leads a 13-play, 74-yard TD drive to open the HOF game<br><br>๐บ: <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a> Game on ESPN/ABC<br>๐ฑ: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/wVYwqPuMjQ">pic.twitter.com/wVYwqPuMjQ</a>
NFL @NFLKeenum finds Akers to extend the <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HoustonTexans</a> lead!<br><br>๐บ: <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ProFootballHOF</a> Game on ESPN/ABC<br>๐ฑ: Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlus?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLPlus</a> <a href="https://t.co/V3tKTsK0pJ">pic.twitter.com/V3tKTsK0pJ</a>
Though fans didn't get a chance to see the two promising players in action, the game still had the social media world hyped for the return of the NFL after a long offseason.
While there are still a few weeks left before the start of the regular season, sports fans around the country can agree that it's great to have football back, at least in some way.
As NFL fans begin their fantasy drafts and start making predictions for which teams will have big seasons, they can enjoy a few more weeks of preseason games. A week from now, several other teams will begin their preseason slate as the Detroit Lions face the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers take on the New England Patriots.
