Houston held off Chicago’s potential game-tying drive to win 19-13 on "Sunday Night Football" in a battle that was mostly decided by special teams.
Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn nailed four field goals, three of them coming from more than 50 yards deep, while Bears kicker Cairo Santos netted two of his own from that distance.
Texans quarterback C.J Stroud threw the first touchdown of the game in the second quarter to wide receiver Nico Collins, who ran it home for 28 yards.
Stroud was 23-for-36 passing for 260 yards and one touchdown. Collins had eight receptions for 135 yards and a score.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, finished 23-of-37 for 174 yards and two interceptions.
Chicago's only score came when running back Khalil Herbert barreled 2 yards into the end zone on a third-and-goal with 32 seconds left before halftime.
The Texans are now 2-0, while the Bears fall to 1-1.
Texans best Bears in a battle of special teams
The Texans beat the Bears 19-13 in a nail biter determined mostly by special teams.
Houston kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn had a huge night, nailing four field goals from deep. Quarterback C.J. Stroud went 23-for-36 passing with 260 yards and one touchdown to wide receiver Nico Collins, who had eight receptions for 135 yards.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, finished 23 of 37 for 174 yards and two interceptions.
Chicago’s only score came when running back Khalil Herbert rushed two yards into the end zone on a third-and-goal with 32 seconds remaining before halftime.
The Texans are now 2-0, while the Bears fall to 1-1.
Bears nail 54-yarder to bring them within one possession
Bears kicker Cairo Santos nets a 54-yard field goal to bring Chicago within one possession of Houston, who still leads 19-13.
That’s the fifth made field goal from 50+ yards this game between both teams.
There is less than 2 minutes remaining.
Bears force red-zone turnover
Chicago forces a red-zone turnover as Texans’ running back Cam Akers fumbles at the 3-yard line.
The ball was knocked out of Akers' hand by Bears defensive tackle Andrew Billings.
It was recovered by Bears safety Kevin Byard III.
Williams throws second pick of the game
Caleb Williams throws his second pick of the game, with a deep-right pass intended for tight-end Cole Kmet intercepted by Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter at Houston’s 48-yard line.
Fairbairn nails another long-range bomb
Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn nails a 53-yard field goal to extend the Texans’ lead 19-10.
Fairbairn has been scorching from distance today, hitting three attempts from 50+ yards as well as a 47-yarder.
Williams throws pick; Mixon returns to play
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams throws his first interception of the season with a deep pass intended for wide receiver D.J. Moore picked off by Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
Ball is downed at Houston’s 34-yard line.
Texans running back Joe Mixon has also returned to the field after hurting his ankle in the third quarter.
Texans are still up 16-10 with 14 minutes left in the game.
Bears out of challenges
The Bears are out of challenges after unsuccessfully challenging a near-interception by cornerback Kyler Gordon. The pass, thrown by C.J. Stroud, was initially intended for Nico Collins.
Joe Mixon returns to sideline after injury
Texans running back Joe Mixon returned to the sideline and appeared to be moving around comfortably.
Mixon left the game in the third quarter after rolling his right ankle. He still has not officially re-entered the game. The Texans earlier said he was questionable to return.
Bears drive ends with sack
Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. ends the Bears’ drive with a sack on Caleb Williams — the Texans’ fourth sack of the game.
Bears punter Tory Taylor punted it 25 yards to Houston’s 23 yard line to end the play.
Joe Mixon hobbles off the field with ankle injury
Texans running back Joe Mixon hobbled off the field and into the locker room after rolling his right ankle in the third quarter.
He appeared to be brought down by an illegal hip-drop tackle, but no flag was called on the play.
It is unclear when or if he will return this game.
Mixon leaves the field with 20 yards, averaging 2.9 per attempt. Last week against the Colts, he ended with 159 yards.
