Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) enjoys himself on the bench in the fourth quarter Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 at LP Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Coming off their seventh win of the season in Tennessee, the Chicago Bears have now won six straight games.
At 7-1 they have the same record as the 2006 Chicago Bears, who went on to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl that season.
They host the 7-1 Houston Texans this Sunday night, who currently sit on top the AFC South right now.
Led by QB Matt Schaub, RB Arian Foster and WR Andre Johnson this Texans’ offense can really get things going in a hurry.
The Texans’ defense allows the third fewest yards per game (286.1) and the fourth fewest points per game (17.1).
Led by DE J.J. Watt, this Texans’ defense can scare you as much as the Bears’ defense at times.
Watt has 10.5 sacks and 10 pass deflections so far this season. Starting cornerbacks Kareem Jackson and Jonathan Joseph have combined for five interceptions.
The Texans rank sixth in the league in sacks on the season with 24. The Bears rank third with 23.
This a matchup of two 7-1 teams, who are really getting things done in their respective conferences.
Both teams have seen incredible defense and solid play from their offense this season.
The Bears have scored 236 points, while allowing 120 points this season. The Texans have scored 237 points, while allowing 137 points this season.
The Bears’ defense ranks second in points allowed per game (15) and ranks sixth in yards allowed per game (318.1)
They know the task at hand. The Texans have turned the ball over just six times all season.
“You are what your record says you are,” Bears head coach Lovie Smith said via Chicagotribune.com. “We are a 7-1 football team. We’re a good football team. We’re excited about playing the Texans. Each game as you continue to win, the stakes go up a little bit higher each week. We realize that and we’re going to embrace that.
These are two very similar teams. It should be no surprise that the Bears open up as the favorites (-1.5) at home over the Texans.
This should one heck of a game on Sunday Night Football.
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
