Bears vs. Texans Sunday Night Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Caleb Williams, C.J. Stroud, Joe Mixon, D'Andre Swift, Nico Collins, D.J. Moore, Stefon Diggs, and more

Football is officially back and we're looking at Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season! We have a unique primetime matchup for Sunday Night Football with the Chicago Bears taking on the Houston Texans.

These two teams are both expected to be on the rise in 2024. The Texans survived a tough divisional game in Week 1, while the new-look Bears offense struggled mightily in the opener. We'll see lots of fantasy-relevant players on the field in this one.

We'll be bringing you Sunday Night Football analysis all year long, focusing on who to definitely start, who is on the fence, and who should find the bench. Let's dive into this awesome Sunday Night matchup. You can also read all Week 2 Matchups for the entire slate. Good luck, RotoBallers!

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• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
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Chicago Bears @ Houston Texans - 8:20 pm ET

Point Spread: Texans - 6.5; Total: 45.5

Notable Injuries:

• Keenan Allen (heel) - Game-time Decision
• Rome Odunze (knee) - Game-time Decision
• Dalton Schultz (ankle) - Expected to Play

Matchups We Love

RB Joe Mixon

The Bears defense has improved since the beginning of the last year. But that unit still has some weaknesses along the defensive line. Last week, Tony Pollard averaged 5.13 yards per carry while rushing for 82 yards and one touchdown. After seeing the way Joe Mixon was running last week against the Colts, this is a favorable matchup for him in Week 2.

Congrats to Joe Mixon, the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. pic.twitter.com/aXQcTh4pFd

— Cincinnati 💔 (@CincyProblems) September 11, 2024

WR DJ Moore

Moore was on the "matchups we hate" list last week due to his matchup against L'Jarius Sneed on the outside. But, this is a more favorable matchup for the Bears wideout in Week 2. Houston allowed multiple deep passes last week, including a 60-yard touchdown pass to Alec Pierce. With Rome Odunze (knee) and Keenan Allen (heel) both nursing injuries, this could be one of those big games from the Pro Bowl wideout.

Matchups We Hate

RB D'Andre Swift

It wasn't a pretty showing from D'Andre Swift in Week 1. He saw just 10 carries and was only targeted once in the passing game. Given how much trouble the Texans defensive line gave to Jonathan Taylor last week, Swift could be in for another subpar fantasy day. Houston allowed the second-fewest yards per carry last season (3.6), and with Chicago possibly trailing in this game, the Bears running back is not a strong play this weekend.

D’Andre Swift needs more touches. He’s way too talented to not be the 3 down back getting 90% of the RB work. pic.twitter.com/4jH8Iirl6U

— Caleb Williams Fan Club (@CalebFC18) September 10, 2024

WR Nico Collins

I'm not necessarily sitting wide receiver Nico Collins because of his Week 2 matchup against Jaylon Johnson. It is something to keep an eye on, though, as you make your start and sit decisions. Johnson didn't exclusively shadow Calvin Ridley last week, as he matched up opposite him on only 42.9% of snaps. But in those snaps, Ridley caught zero passes. So, the Bears corner could give Collins some trouble in Week 2.

Other Matchups

QB C.J. Stroud

The Bears defense did a nice job against Will Levis last week, forcing him to throw two interceptions (including one for a pick-six). However, C.J. Stroud is a much better quarterback, and Chicago's defense gave up the 11th-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks in 2023. It also allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns (30). In what should be a high-scoring affair, Stroud is a strong QB1 option in Week 2.

QB Caleb Williams

If you started Williams in fantasy last week, you were likely frustrated with his 7.22 fantasy points. Williams looked like a rookie quarterback on the field in Week 1, completing just 14-of-29 passes for 93 yards. While the Texans defense did give up over 17 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks last season, it's probably best to see the young quarterback put together a strong game before putting him in your fantasy lineup again.

WRs Keenan Allen/Rome Odunze

Both Allen (heel) and Odunze (knee) are dealing with injuries heading into Week 2. It remains to be seen if either will be able to suit up against the Texans, but there is optimism for both of them in fantasy moving forward. Allen saw 11 targets in Week 1, so if he plays, he is likely a solid WR2/WR3 for your fantasy team this week. As for Odunze, he is likely only a flex play this week if the veteran wideout misses.

Status of Chicago Bears wide receivers for Sunday night’s game vs. the Texans (via @AdamSchefter)

Keenan Allen (heel) will go through pregame warmups but could be limited even if active

Rome Odunze (knee) is tracking to play

Both receivers are officially listed as questionable pic.twitter.com/rsmLZoVVqU

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 15, 2024

WRs Stefon Diggs/Tank Dell 

From Week 1, it's pretty obvious that Stefon Diggs will be the Texans' short-yardage option while Tank Dell will be the deep-threat option. Diggs totaled nine air yards last week, and Dell had 105 air yards. It's still somewhat of a risk to start either Houston wide receiver in fantasy this week because there just aren't enough targets to go around in this offense. So, both Houston wideouts are low-end WR2s this week.

TE Dalton Schultz

Tight end Dalton Schultz (ankle) is dealing with an ankle injury and has yet to practice this week. As a result, there's a chance that Schultz will not suit up in Week 2 against the Bears. Even if he does, though, he is too risky to start as your TE1. He only scored 4.6 PPR fantasy points last week behind a three-catch, 16-yard performance.

Update: Schultz will play on Sunday night.

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