Bears to play host to Texans on Sunday in matchup of 7-1 teams

HOUSTON (7-1) at CHICAGO (7-1)

Story line: Chicago leads the league with 28 takeaways and Houston is the best in the NFL with only six turnovers. Each team’s loss was against Green Bay. The game features two candidates for defensive player of the year in Houston end J.J. Watt, who has 10 1/2 sacks, and Chicago defensive back Charles Tillman, who has seven forced fumbles.

Texans said: “I see opportunities for sacks against every offensive line. I obviously watched the film. You see the opportunities. You get excited.” — Watt

Bears said: “It’s the perfect situation, a great Sunday night on a big stage. We’re all fired up about it.” — Linebacker Lance Briggs

Bottom line: The Bears are favored by one point, and the over/under is 39.5. … The 6-foot-5 Watt has deflected 10 passes. … One of the best matchups will be Bears receiver Brandon Marshall versus cornerback Johnathan Joseph. And Tillman might be covering Andre Johnson. … Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher returned an interception for a touchdown last week, forced a fumble and recovered one.

—Lance Pugmire