Houston Texans victory/ Texans defeat Bears/ NFL Texans game recap/ Newslooks/ HOUSTON/ Morning Edition/ J. Mansour/ C.J. Stroud threw a touchdown, and Houston’s defense intercepted Caleb Williams twice, leading the Texans to a 19-13 victory over the Bears. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn added four field goals, three of which were over 50 yards, to secure the win. Houston improved to 2-0 with a strong defensive showing in the second half.
Texans vs. Bears Quick Looks:
- C.J. Stroud threw for 260 yards and one touchdown.
- Ka’imi Fairbairn hit four field goals, three over 50 yards.
- Texans intercepted rookie QB Caleb Williams twice after halftime.
- The Houston defense recorded seven sacks on Williams.
- Chicago’s offense scored its first touchdown of the season in the second quarter.
Texans Defeat Bears 19-13 Behind Stroud’s TD and Defense
Deep Look:
In a gritty, defensive battle on Sunday night, the Houston Texans outlasted the Chicago Bears 19-13, fueled by C.J. Stroud’s efficient passing, Ka’imi Fairbairn’s long-range kicking, and a fierce Texans defense that stifled Chicago’s rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in the second half.
Stroud completed 260 passing yards, including a critical 28-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins early in the second quarter, giving Houston a 10-3 lead. Ka’imi Fairbairn proved to be invaluable, nailing four field goals from 56, 47, 59, and 53 yards out. His accuracy and leg strength helped Houston hold on to their lead when the offense stalled after halftime. Fairbairn’s performance also marked a historic milestone, as he became the first NFL player to hit five or more field goals of 50 yards or longer in two consecutive games.
Defensively, the Texans stepped up when it mattered most, especially in the second half. Chicago’s Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was under constant pressure from Houston’s front seven, resulting in seven sacks. Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. led the charge with 1.5 sacks, while Houston’s secondary capitalized on errant throws from Williams, picking him off twice in crucial moments. Rookie defensive back Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley snagged the interceptions that stalled Chicago’s drives in the second half.
Houston’s defense held strong as Williams struggled to find a rhythm. Though Williams showcased flashes of his mobility and arm strength, his two interceptions proved costly, and his inability to avoid sacks allowed the Texans to maintain control. Williams finished with 174 passing yards, completing 23 of 37 attempts, but he was unable to mount a comeback against Houston’s relentless pass rush.
The Texans took a 16-10 lead into halftime, thanks to Fairbairn’s third field goal from 59 yards. After halftime, both offenses went cold, with Houston only managing one more field goal. The Bears narrowed the gap to 19-13 on a 54-yard field goal by Cairo Santos late in the fourth quarter, but their final drive was thwarted when Williams was sacked by Danielle Hunter on second down, and his fourth-down pass fell incomplete.
Chicago’s offense managed its first touchdown of the season just before halftime when Khalil Herbert scored on a 2-yard run, bringing the Bears within three points. The score was set up by a pass interference call on Houston rookie Calen Bullock that moved the Bears into striking distance. Despite that momentum, Chicago couldn’t sustain its offensive success after halftime, as the Texans’ defense tightened its grip.
Texans receiver Nico Collins had a standout performance for the second week in a row, hauling in 135 yards, including the touchdown grab that gave Houston the lead for good. His efforts were particularly crucial as running back Joe Mixon, who rushed for an NFL-best 159 yards in Week 1, was limited to just 25 yards on Sunday after briefly leaving the game with an ankle injury.
For the Bears, Khalil Herbert’s touchdown was a positive sign, but Chicago’s offense remains a work in progress. Williams’ learning curve was evident in his inability to handle the pressure and the turnovers that cost his team key possessions. However, head coach Matt Eberflus remained optimistic about Williams’ growth, calling it a learning experience for the young quarterback.
As for Houston, head coach DeMeco Ryans praised his team’s ability to find ways to win despite offensive struggles in the second half. “They’re not always going to be pretty,” Ryans said, “but you just have to find a way to win. That’s what I’m most proud about with our guys.” Ryans also gave a special nod to Fairbairn’s kicking prowess, noting his critical role in the team’s early-season success.
