The Houston Texans hosted the Chicago Bears in their first home game of the season. This was the first Sunday Night Football game in Houston since 2019. It was the battle of the 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams versus 2023 No. 2 pick CJ Stroud, who were both making their SNF debut.
Chicago was looking to start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2020 and ended their seven-game losing streak on SNF. Houston was looking to start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2016.
Game Recap
The Texans were without starting center Juice Scruggs and running back Dameon Pierce due to injuries. Cam Akers was named the backup running back to Joe Mixon and Jarret Patterson was named the starter. Dalton Schultz and Nico Collins were both questionable to play, but later ruled good to go.
The Bears were without wide receiver Keenan Allen, who was ruled out due to a heel injury. Wide receiver Rome Odunze was questionable with a knee injury, but also ruled available to play.
It was not a pretty win for the Texans as they only managed to score one touchdown, with the rest of their points coming from four made field goals. They had another chance to score a touchdown late in the fourth quarter that would have put the game away, but a fumble in the red zone was recovered by the Bears.
Houston had 15 first downs, 61 plays converted 29% of their third downs, converted on their only fourth down, and had a total of 310 yards (235 passing and 75 rushing). Other than the fumble in the red zone, they did not turn the ball over.
The two biggest storylines of the game were defense and penalties. The Texans' defense dominated the Bears' offensive line and sacked the quarterback seven times. They allowed just 134 passing yards and 71 rushing yards.
Caleb Williams and the offense could never get into much of a rhythm, not to mention he was picked off twice. They managed to score a touchdown thanks to Khalil Herbert, but that was about it. Despite the struggles on offense, they still had a chance to win thanks to the defense.
Chicago's defense held the Texans to just three points in the second half, and sacked the quarterback three times. They did a good job stopping the run and kept receivers Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs from getting involved.
The Texans had 12 penalties that cost them 115 yards, including an illegal use of hands penalty that erased a 10-yard run by Stroud that would have given them the first down to ice the game. They were forced to punt, and the Bears got the ball with 1:37 left in the fourth quarter.
Houston's defense sacked Williams for an eight-yard loss plus an illegal formation penalty on the left tackle pushed them to a 4th and 17, which they had to go for. The pass to DJ Moore was incomplete, and it was a turnover on downs. The Texans kneeled it out, and pulled out the win 19-13. This is the first 2-0 start for the Texans since 2016
CJ Stroud finished with 23 completions out of 36 attempts for 260 yards and one touchdown. Nico Collins finished with eight receptions for 135 yards and one touchdown. Cam Akers had seven carries for 32 rushing yards.
Caleb Williams finished with 23 completions out of 37 attempts for 174 yards and two interceptions. He also led the team in rushing yards with 44. DJ Moore finished with six receptions for 53 yards.
What's Next
The Texans will take on the Minnesota Vikings, another NFC North opponent. The game will take place on Sunday, September 22 and begin at 1:00pm EST.
For the third consecutive week, the Bears will take on an AFC South opponent. They will host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, September and the game will also begin at 1:00pm EST.
(Photo Courtesy: @HoustonTexans/X)
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