By Kevin Fishbain, Adam Jahns, Mike Jones and Lauren Merola
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams threw his first (and second) interception of his NFL career against the Houston Texans — and behind a wobbly Chicago offensive line — on Sunday night at NRG Stadium.
It was a similarly valiant Bears defensive effort, like that of Week 1, but the offense couldn’t come up with the yards or points on the final drive to pull out the victory.
After a scoreless standoff between both teams in the third quarter, the Texans and Bears traded a pair of field goals, with Chicago closing the gap to 19-13 with less than three minutes to play in the fourth. The Texans failed to put any points on the board on the ensuing drive, punting the ball back to the Bears with 1 1/2 minutes left in regulation. But Chicago had no magic tricks in its bag and officially dropped to 1-1 on the season after Williams failed to connect with Rome Odunze on fourth-and-17.
Postgame, Texans QB C.J. Stroud said he thinks Williams’ performances will get “better as time goes on.”
“I just told (Williams) that everything that got you here is going to take care of you in the long run,” Stroud said. “Don’t put your head down. Don’t let a hard time humble you. It’s not going to be easy. You got picked at No. 1 and for a reason. I wish him the best.”
With the win, the Texans became the ninth 2-0 team in the NFL. The rest of the teams in the Texans’ division, the AFC South, are 0-2.
Bears offensive line is a serious issue
The biggest concern coming into the season for the Bears, the offensive line, has proven to be a serious issue. Williams was knocked around all night long, sacked seven times and hit 11 times. Right tackle Darnell Wright, who held his own most of the night (aside from some inexcusable false starts), lost his rep when it mattered most, allowing a sack to Danielle Hunter on the Bears’ final drive.
But the interior continued to be the real problem, as pressure came up the gut throughout the game. Ryan Bates being placed on injured reserve could prove to be a real detriment, as he might’ve started at right guard if he was healthy.
The Bears are forced to dial up quick passes. There’s no time for anything deep. There’s nowhere for the running backs to run. It’s a familiar story in Chicago and there isn’t a quick fix. — Kevin Fishbain, Bears beat writer
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)
