As a result of inclement climate, officers suspended the 2024 NFL Corridor of Fame Sport with 3:31 left within the third quarter, awarding the Chicago Bears a 21-17 victory over the Houston Texans. However regardless of the untimely ending, there’s lots to speak about.
Listed here are a couple of takeaways from Thursday’s preseason opener.
Corridor of Fame Sport involves a singular weather-shortened finish
Climate delays are frequent on the annual Corridor of Fame Sport from Canton, however outright suspensions usually are not. In response to NFL historian Kevin Gallagher, that is solely the third everlasting suspension of the sport, with the one different occurrences happening in 2003 (Kansas Metropolis Chiefs vs. Inexperienced Bay Packers) and 1980 (Inexperienced Bay Packers vs. San Diego Chargers).
New kickoff guidelines make their debut
This offseason, the NFL adopted the XFL’s kickoff guidelines, which provides the as soon as uneventful play a bit of life. The odd setup, which debuted on Thursday, will take a while to get used to and will take even longer to yield outcomes, because the longest return within the Corridor of Fame Sport was 31 yards by John Jackson of the Bears.
Area circumstances weren’t ideally suited
The sphere at Tom Benson Corridor of Fame Stadium was noticeably slippery, and a number of other gamers had problem staying on their toes all through the night time. Whereas most followers have been upset however not shocked by the dearth of starters taking part in for the Bears and Texans, looking back, it is a good factor they did not.
Is Brett Rypien within the working for Bears’ No. 2 QB job?
Rypien outshined Tyson Bagent within the Bears preseason opener, ending 11-of-15 for 166 yards (11.1 yards per completion) with three touchdowns and nil interceptions. Bagent noticed much less work within the weather-shortened contest, going 2-of-3 for 16 yards, however Rypien’s outing provides Chicago one thing to consider.
Texans’ backup QB battle heats up
Davis Mills (10-of-13, 102 yards, one landing) and Case Keenum (7-of-9, 78 yards, one landing) had stable outings on Thursday, which can make deciding who backs up star C.J. Stroud a bit of more difficult. It is an awesome drawback to have should you’re the Texans, who will need somebody dependable behind the face of the franchise.
Bears rookie pass-rusher impresses
Fifth-round decide Austin Booker completed with just one deal with on Thursday night time, however displayed his pass-rushing prowess on the sting, with considered one of his pressures resulting in a strip-sack within the first quarter. It is just one sport, however the former Kansas standout might earn a spot within the Bears edge-rushing rotation.
Rookie DB performs as marketed for Texans
Calen Bullock, chosen within the third spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft, made an affect Thursday night time, displaying the talents the Texans anticipated. The previous USC standout confirmed off his closing pace, athleticism and nostril for the ball, recording a team-high 5 tackles (three solo) and a compelled fumble.
