The Houston Texans absolutely dominated the Chicago Bears in the first half of their matchup, showcasing their offensive prowess with 206 total yards compared to the Bears’ measly 91 yards. Despite their strong performance, the Texans only held a 16-10 lead at halftime, showing that the game was far from over.
Tommy Townsend’s lone punt of the half proved to be costly for the Texans, as it resulted in a Bears touchdown. The 37-yard punt set the Bears up with excellent field position at the Houston 49-yard line, allowing Khalil Herbert to run it in from 2 yards out with just 32 seconds left in the second quarter. The touchdown came at a time when the Bears’ rushing attack had struggled, managing just 18 yards on 11 carries.
However, the Bears’ rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams, showed signs of improvement from his debut game. He completed 12 of 15 passes for 91 yards, a significant improvement in accuracy. Despite taking two sacks, Williams managed to move the offense effectively, with DJ Moore contributing 35 rushing yards on just three carries.
But the Texans were not to be outdone, as kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn nailed a 59-yard field goal with one second remaining in the half. Fairbairn had already connected on field goals of 56 and 47 yards earlier in the game, showcasing his range and accuracy.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud had a solid first half for the Texans, completing 14 of 19 passes for 173 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins. Collins emerged as a key target for Stroud, hauling in five catches for 86 yards, including some highlight-reel plays. Stefon Diggs added two receptions for 26 yards, contributing to the Texans’ offensive success.
On the other hand, Joe Mixon, who had a standout performance in the season opener, was held in check by the Bears’ defense, managing just 19 yards on six carries. The Bears’ ability to contain Mixon would be crucial in the second half as they looked to mount a comeback against the Texans’ lead.
