The NFL season officially kicks off with the 2024 Hall of Fame Game on August 1st in Canton, Ohio, featuring the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans. This annual exhibition marks the beginning of football’s return while honoring the league’s newest Hall of Fame inductees.
In this 1,500+ word definitive preview, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this year’s historic matchup:
✔ Complete game preview with key matchups to watch
✔ Rookie debuts for Caleb Williams and Texans’ draft class
✔ Injury comeback stories on both sidelines
✔ Position battles that will be decided in this game
✔ How this exhibition impacts regular season expectations
✔ Fantasy football takeaways from the first live action
Let’s dive into the 2024 Hall of Fame Game and why it matters more than your typical preseason contest.
Game Details & Historical Context
Date: August 1, 2024
Time: 8 PM ET
Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, OH
TV: NBC
This marks the 60th edition of the Hall of Fame Game, which began in 1962. The Bears last appeared in 2018, while the Texans make their first-ever appearance. The game coincides with the Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the Class of 2024 featuring:
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Julius Peppers
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Antonio Gates
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Devin Hester
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Steve McMichael
For complete Hall of Fame weekend coverage, visit NFL Newsz.
3 Must-Watch Storylines
1. Caleb Williams’ NFL Debut
The No. 1 overall pick will see his first professional action against a Texans defense that ranked top-10 in 2023. Key things to monitor:
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Pocket presence under live rush
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Chemistry with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen
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Command of Shane Waldron’s offense
According to NFL Newsz, Williams has been “flawless” in training camp red zone drills.
2. Texans’ Sophomore Stars
Houston’s breakout 2023 class gets their first action since playoff runs:
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C.J. Stroud (10-15 passing attempts expected)
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Will Anderson Jr. vs. Bears’ rebuilt O-line
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Tank Dell returning from broken leg
3. Comeback Player Auditions
Both teams feature key veterans returning from injury:
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Bears: TE Cole Kmet (knee)
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Texans: CB Derek Stingley Jr. (hamstring)
Position Battles to Watch
Bears’ Right Guard Competition
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Nate Davis vs. Ja’Tyre Carter
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Winner gets to block for Williams all season
Texans’ WR3 Spot
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John Metchie III vs. Robert Woods
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Critical for 3-WR sets behind Dell/Nico Collins
For daily training camp updates, check the official NFL website.
X-Factors That Could Steal the Show
Bears’ Secret Weapon: Rome Odunze
The No. 9 overall pick has been turning heads in camp and could feast against Texans’ second-team corners.
Texans’ Dark Horse: Dameon Pierce
The forgotten RB looks to reclaim his role after Devin Singletary’s departure.
Fantasy Football Implications
While starters play limited snaps, watch for:
✅ Target shares among WRs
✅ RB committee distributions
✅ TE usage in red zone packages
Sleeper Alert: Bears RB Khalil Herbert could win the starting job with a strong showing in the 2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game.
Historical Hall of Fame Game Trends
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Last 5 No. 1 picks in HOF Game:
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2023: Bryce Young (7/12, 56 yards)
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2021: Trevor Lawrence (6/9, 71 yards)
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2018: Baker Mayfield (11/20, 212 yards, 2 TDs)
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Teams that win the HOF Game make playoffs 47% of time
Prediction & Final Thoughts
Expected Outcome:
Bears 20, Texans 17
Williams leads 2 scoring drives, Texans’ depth shines late
This game offers the first real glimpse at two ascending franchises – the Bears’ new era under Williams and the Texans’ championship aspirations with Stroud. While the score doesn’t matter, the individual performances will shape:
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Final roster decisions
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Regular season depth charts
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Fantasy draft strategies
Bookmark NFL Newsz for live updates during the game!
Read More: 2024 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Late-Round Steals Talking About
Key Takeaways
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Caleb Williams’ debut is must-see TV
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Texans’ sophomores begin Super Bowl push
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Position battles will be decided in second half
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Fantasy sleepers emerge every HOF Game
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