The Chicago Bears and the Houston Texans will clash in Week 1 of the NFL 2016 regular season on Sunday, and the Texans will be hoping to take their preseason form into their first game after going undefeated in their preseason games. Today's big game between the Texans and the Bears takes place from the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas and has a scheduled start time of 1 p.m. ET. The game can be watched on TV on the Fox network, or online through live stream via the link below.
The Texans impressive preseason has taken place amid a massive overhaul in the team. Houston have signed a new quarterback - albeit one who remains unproven at the top level - as well as a complete change up in their wide receiver ranks. In addition, the Texans even have a new starting running back.
After their preseason, and last season's AFC South title, hopes are high for the Texans this season. However, that also means getting off to a good start in the first few weeks of the season, and although the Bears will prove a stern test for Houston, the Texans will definitely be expecting to get an opening game win in front of their home fans today.
The Bears are likely to go after JJ Watt throughout today's encounter, so it won't be entirely surprising if they send some extra blockers and double teams in Watt's direction.
Earlier this week, on NFL Thursday Night Football, the season opener took place between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers. The re-match of last season's Super Bowl was a hard-fought affair, but ultimately the result came out the same as Super Bowl 50, with the Broncos taking the win.
However, Thursday's game was a much closer match up than last season's showcase game, and by the end Denver only won the game by a single point in a 21-20 victory.
Early-on in the game especially, fans could feel the intensity that Carolina entered the re-match with, and if there was any doubt that the Panthers were out for revenge, that was confirmed right away as the Carolina defense began super aggressively, successfully disrupting Trevor Siemian. By half time the Broncos quarterback had only completed 8 of 12 passes for 92 yards, throwing one interception in the process.
The impressive Panthers went in at half time with a healthy 17-7 lead, however, things it proved to be a game of two halves, and the Broncos emerged vastly improved for the second half. In particular, the Broncos' defense showed signs of the form that took them all the way to Super Bowl glory last season.
Although Cam Newton had a strong first half, he was hit hard in the third quarter by DeMarcus Ware as he suffered his first sack of the season. Newton went down injured, and although he returned to the action, he looked a different player after that incident.
The Broncos went on to sack Newton three times in the second half as the Panthers' offense was put under intense and repeated pressure. The Carolina offense was so effectively shut down that they only managed to score three points through the entire second half.
Denver turned the screw in the fourth quarter and went into the final minutes with a 21-20 lead. The Panthers managed one final dramatic sustained drive, but a 50-yard field goal attempt went wide at the death to hand the Broncos an opening day win, and leave the Panthers to ponder what more they must do to defeat Denver.
Fans were left breathless by the final whistle, and many commented that this was the dramatic game they wish they had in last season's Super Bowl.
Week 1 continues Sunday with the Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears facing off from 1 p.m. ET. The game can be watched on TV on the Fox network or online through live stream by clicking here.
