WHEN: 12:00 p.m. CT
WHERE: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
FORECAST: Mostly cloudy, 33 degrees, 2 mph winds
FOLLOW: @therealmarklane, @thetexanswire
LISTEN: Sports Radio 610 [KILT-AM] and 100.3 The Bull [KLOL]
WATCH: CBS (Kevin Harlan & Trent Green)
10. Chicago’s rank for red zone conversions
The Bears convert on 57.1% of their red zone conversion rates, the 10th-lowest in the NFL. If the Texans give up yards to Chicago on a drive, it isn’t over just because it gets into the red zone. The Bears may settle for a field goal or worse.
9. Deshaun Watson’s rank for yards after the catch
Texans receivers have generated 1,472 yards after the catch, the ninth-most in the NFL. Watson has a way of getting the ball into receivers’ hands on the fly and allow them to pick up extra yards. It will be needed against the Bears.
8. Houston’s takeaways through 12 games
Houston has the absolute worst takeaway ranking in the NFL. They have as many turnovers as they do losses, which kind of explains why they are 4-8.
7. Allen Robison’s rank for catches
Robinson has hauled in 77 catches, tied with Darren Waller for the seventh-most in the NFL. He will have a somewhat easier time as the Texans’ cornerback corps is pretty thin in Week 14.
6. The Texans’ rank for starting field position
Houston has the sixth-worst average starting field position in the NFL at their own 26.8-yard line. An outdoor game always has more of a field position element to it than an indoor game, and Houston will have to consider this when going for it at midfield, sending Ka’imi Fairbairn out to kick a field goal, or punt.
5. Yards per carry the Texans give up
The real number is 4.9, but rounding up makes it five yards a carry. Imagine being able to hand the ball off on first down and picking up half of your yards to go. The Texans will have to stiffen up this aspect of the game and force Chicago to go one-dimensional.
4. Houston’s rank for red zone trips
The Texans have visited the red zone 29 times this season, tied with the Denver Broncos for the fourth-fewest in the NFL. If the Texans aren’t going to make many trips, they need to create splash plays to score from outside, or hope kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn is perfect all day.
3. Deshaun Watson’s rank for passer rating
Watson is third in the NFL with a 110.0 passer rating. The Texans have the ultimate field general in Sunday’s game. The game will be entirely dependent on how well he plays.
2. The Texans’ rank for rushing yards surrendered per game
The Texans give up 150.9 rushing yards per game, the second-most in the NFL. Even though the Bears run game is down, and they have a coach in Matt Nagy who routinely gives up on the run, Houston has to keep this aspect of the game locked down.
1. Deshaun Watson’s rank for yards per pass attempt
No one in the NFL can top Watson’s 8.8 yards per pass attempt. The two-time Pro Bowler didn’t have any trouble last week throwing to Keke Coutee and Chad Hansen in place of Will Fuller and Randall Cobb. Watson needs to drive the ball Sunday.