Sunday Night Football: Highlights, score, stats from Texans' win vs. Bears
The Houston Texans are 2-0 for the first time since 2016.
C.J. Stroud led the Texans to a 19-13 win against the Chicago Bears in Houston’s regular-season home opener.
The combination of Stroud and wide receiver Nico Collins proved to be too much for a pesky Bears team to handle. Stroud produced 260 passing yards and a touchdown. Stroud found his favorite wideout early and often. Collins finished with a game-high eight catches, 135 yards and one touchdown.
The heroics of Stroud and Collins were just enough to lift Houston over Chicago.
The Bears had a chance to win the game on their final draft but Caleb Williams’ pass on fourth-and-17 fell incomplete with 34 seconds left on the clock.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Williams started the contest 5-of-5 passing and showed improvement from Week 1. But Williams and the Bears couldn’t contain the Texans’ blitz and pass rush. Williams was sacked seven times and hit 11 more times in the loss.
Texans edge rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. combined for nine tackles and three sacks. Houston cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter each had interceptions. — Tyler Dragon
DO YOU LIKE FOOTBALL? Then you'll enjoy getting our NFL newsletter delivered to your inbox
Texans vs. Bears highlights
A matchup featuring two of the league's most promising passers came down to defense, as the Texans held rookie Caleb Williams in check as Houston moved to 2-0.
Texans vs. Bears final stats
Team stats:
- Total yards: Texans 310, Bears 205
- First downs: Bears 15, Texans 15
- Third-down conversions: Bears 6-17, Texans 4-14
- Red zone: Bears 1-1, Texans 1-2
- Turnovers: Bears 2, Texans 1
Passing:
- C.J. Stroud: 23-36, 260 yards, 1 touchdown
- Caleb Williams: 23-37, 174 yards, 2 interceptions
Rushing:
- Caleb Williams: 5 carries, 44 yards
- Cam Akers: 7 carries, 32 yards
- Joe Mixon: 9 carries, 25 yards
- D'Andre Swift: 14 carries, 18 yards
Receiving:
- Niko Collins: 8 receptions, 135 yards, 1 touchdown
- DJ Moore: 6 receptions, 53 yards
- Stefon Diggs: 4 receptions, 37 yards
- Joe Mixon: 3 receptions, 25 yards
- Rome Odunze: 2 receptions, 33 yards
- Cole Smet: 2 receptions, 27 yards
- Dalton Schultz: 2 receptions, 21 yards
➤ Game stats
Bears vs. Texans score
- Bears: 13
- Texans: 19
First quarter
Texans field goal (10:20) — Ka'imi Fairbairn, 56 yards
Bears field goal (3:51) — Cairo Santos, 53 yards
Second quarter
Texans touchdown (14:55) — Niko Collins, 28-yard pass from C.J. Stroud (Ka'imi Fairbairn extra point)
Texans field goal (9:55) — Ka'imi Fairbairn, 47 yards
Bears touchdown (0:32) — Khalil Herbert, 2-yard run (Cairo Santos extra point)
Texans field goal (0:01) — Ka'imi Fairbairn, 59 yards
Fourth quarter
Texans field goal (13:39) — Ka'imi Fairbairn, 53 yards
Bears field goal (2:51) — Cairo Santos, 54 yards
Bears' last chance falls well short
The Bears got the ball back with 1:37 left on the clock and 80 yards to go to at least tie the game and potentially take the lead with an extra point.
The drive got off to a promising start when Caleb Williams connected with Rome Odunze on a 27-yard play to get the ball to midfield. It was there where the drive stalled. A second down sack pushed the Bears back 8 yards and ultimately set up a fourth-and-17 situation. Williams' final pass intended for Odunze was well off target and the Texans held on for the win. — Jim Reineking
Texans 19, Bears 13: Cairo Santos makes it a one-score game
A roughing-the-passer penalty on Mario Edwards Jr. helped the Bears get into position for another long field goal.
Cairo Santos made the fifth field goal of 50 or more yards in the game to make it a one-score game with a little less than three minutes remaining.
While Santos has made two 50-plus yarders, Ka'imi Fairbairn has three such field goals. — Jim Reineking
Texans RB Cam Akers fumbles near end zone
The Texans were on the cusp of putting the game away, but running back Cam Akers fumbled the football three yards away from the end zone and it was recovered by Bears safety Kevin Byard.
Bears DT Andrew Billings got credit for the forced fumble.
The Bears’ fumble recovery kept their slim hopes alive. Chicago trails 19-10 with 6:28 left in the fourth quarter. — Tyler Dragon
Caleb Williams tosses second INT
Rookies sometimes make rookie mistakes. Caleb Williams isn’t immune to mishaps.
The Bears rookie QB threw an ill-advised pass intended for tight end Cole Kmet that was picked off by Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter and returned to Chicago’s 43-yard line with 13:07 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Luckily for the Bears, the Texans offense wasn’t able to score any points after the turnover.
Williams has thrown two interceptions in the game. — Tyler Dragon
Texans 19, Bears 10: Ka'imi Fairbairn drills another long field goal
Ka’imi Fairbairn is making his case for player of the game.
The Texans kicker knocked in his fourth field goal of the day and third of at least 50 yards when he made a 53-yard attempt to make it a 19-10 Houston lead. He has made kicks of 56, 47, 59 and 53-yarder on the night.
Fairbairn has now made all seven of his field goal attempts this season, but what’s more impressive is six of them are from at least 50-yards. — Jordan Mendoza
Joe Mixon (ankle) returns to game
Texans starting RB Joe Mixon returned to the game with under one minute left in the third quarter.
The Texans ruled Mixon (ankle) questionable to return with 11:57 on the game clock in the third quarter after what appeared to be a hip-drop tackle by Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards.
Mixon currently has 45 yards from scrimmage. — Tyler Dragon
Texans pick off Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams is still looking for his first NFL touchdown pass, but he just threw his first interception.
Near midfield, Williams tried to lob a pass in to DJ Moore, but Texans defensive back Derek Stingley jumped the route and got to the ball before Moore could. Stingley hauled it in for the interception to give Houston the ball just before the end of the third quarter. — Jordan Mendoza
Tensions rising after hit on Caleb Williams
A hit on Caleb Williams started a mini fight near the Bears sideline, and one Texans player got away with a punch.
Williams scrambled toward the sideline when Azeez Al-Shaair shoved him right before he stepped out of bounds. The Bears players took exception and started to gang up on Al-Shaair, and the Texans linebacker was seen throwing a punch at Chicago’s Roschon Johnson.
Referees didn’t see it and a flag was not thrown, and the shouting and shoving continued for an extended period. No flags or ejections were made. — Jordan Mendoza
Joe Mixon (ankle) questionable to return
Texans running back Joe Mixon is questionable to return with an ankle injury, the team announced in the third quarter.
Mixon was injured after a short nine-yard catch when he was tackled by Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards. It appeared Edwards got Mixon to the ground via a hip-drop tackle that is now outlawed by the NFL. However, Edwards wasn’t penalized on the play.
Mixon currently has 45 yards from scrimmage. — Tyler Dragon
Chain gang crew member carted off
It was a scary moment in the third quarter when a member of the chain gang was carted off the field after taking a fall.
After a Joe Mixon run, the official was backpedaling when he tripped over the yard marker and appeared to hit his head on the ground. Members of the Bears training staff checked on the official and he was taken off of the field.
The incident came the same day a chain gang member in the Ravens vs. Raiders game suffered a medical emergency on the sideline. That member was also carted off the field and the Ravens said he was “alert and responsive" when leaving the field and was taken to a local hospital. — Jordan Mendoza
Texans 16, Bears 10: Ka'imi Fairbairn extends Houston's lead right before halftime
Ka'imi Fairbairn’s having himself a half. The UCLA product made three 45-plus yard field goals in the first half as the Texans have a 16-10 lead at halftime. He connected on long 59-yard field goal to end the half.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud led the team on three straight scoring drives to begin the game. Stroud’s been efficient in the first half. The second-year QB is 14-of-19 passing for 173 and has a touchdown.
Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams looks more comfortable in his second NFL game. The USC product completed his first five passes. Williams has completed 12 of 15 of his passes for 91 passing yards.
The Texans outgained Chicago 206 to 91 in total yards, but the Bears defense held Stroud and company to 2-6 on third downs.
Texans WR Nico Collins has a game-high five catches, 86 receiving yards and a touchdown. — Tyler Dragon
Texans 13, Bears 10: Bears get first offensive touchdown
Chicago’s offense has finally found the endzone.
Khalil Herbert ran around the offensive line and dove past the goal line to get the Bears' first touchdown of the day and cut the deficit to 13-10 with 32 seconds left in the first half.
The Bears benefited from good field position thanks to a bad punt from Houston. They moved into Texans territory and on a long third down, a pass interference near the goal line set Chicago up with first and goal. The first two plays were unsuccessful, but the third down run from Herbert made it a one-score game.
The first offensive touchdown of the season for Chicago came after the defense scored both touchdowns in the season-opening win over the Titans. — Jordan Mendoza
Bears can’t capitalize after fourth-down conversion
Just when it looked like Chicago’s offense got momentum, it quickly went back to Houston.
The Bears converted a fourth and 1 from their own 39-yard line, understanding the offense will need to move if it wants to keep up with the Texans. But three plays later, Caleb Williams tried to make the sort of circus play he was known for at Southern California. Instead, it resulted in an 8-yard sack and the Texans will get the ball with a chance to make it a three-score game. — Jordan Mendoza
Texans 13, Bears 3: Three straight scoring drives for Texans
The Texans have scored on their first three drives.
Houston went on an eight-play, 48-yard drive that resulted in a successful 47-yard field goal by kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn. The possession was highlight by a C.J. Stroud scramble during which he passed to WR Nico Collins for an 18-yard gain.
The Texans have a 13-3 lead midway through the second quarter.
Fairbairn has made two 45-plus yard field goals thus far. — Tyler Dragon
Texans 10, Bears 3: Nico Collins scores game’s first touchdown
Texans WR Nico Collins is making his presence known early.
Collins produced three catches, 52 yards and a touchdown on during Houston’s eight-play, 77-yard TD drive.
The Texans have scored on both their possessions to start the game.
C.J. Stroud is 8-of-10 passing for 92 yards and a touchdown early in the second quarter.
The Texans have a 10-3 advantage. — Tyler Dragon
Bears 3, Texans 3: Rookie Caleb Williams off to fast start
Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams is off to a much better start than Week 1.
Williams completed his first five passes during an 11-play, 42-yard drive. However, the drive ended when Williams was sacked by Texans edge rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. on third down.
Chicago was able to tie the ballgame up after kicker Cairo Santos hit a 53-yard field goal. Santos barely made the long field goal. The football hit the camera at the bottom of the goal post and bounced between the upright.
The game is all even at 3-3 with 3:51 left in the first quarter. — Tyler Dragon
Texans 3, Bears 0: Ka'imi Fairbairn connects on 56-yard field goal on opening drive
The Texans scored the first points of the night in their home opener.
C.J. Stroud led Houston on an eight-play drive that resulted in a 56-yard field goal by kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn.
Running back Joe Mixon had two touches for 24 yards during the Texans’ opening series.
The Texans have a 3-0 lead early in the first period. — Tyler Dragon
What time is Bears at Texans?
- Bears at Texans will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET from NRG Stadium in Houston.
How to watch Bears vs. Texans
- TV channel: NBC
The game will air on NBC and Peacock. The game is also available to stream for free on Fubo.
Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (analyst) will be on the call, with Melissa Stark adding reports from the field for NBC.
Bears vs. Texans inactives: Keenan Allen out for Chicago
Both rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze (knee) and six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen (heel) were listed by the Bears as questionable for Sunday night's game against the Texans. While Odunze is available, Allen is inactive for the game.
Bears' inactive players:
- WR Velus Jones Jr.
- WR Keenan Allen
- OL Kiran Amegadjie
- FB Khari Blasingame
- LB Noah Sewell
- DL Dominique Robinson
Texans' inactive players:
- WR John Metchie III
- S M.J. Stewart
- RB Dameon Pierce
- LB Jamal Hill
- C/G Juice Scruggs
- LB Rashad Weaver
Bears at Texans: Predictions, picks and odds
The Texans are favorites to defeat the Bears, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024.
- Spread: Texans (-6)
- Moneyline: Texans (-275); Bears (+220)
- Over/under: 45
Here are the USA TODAY Sports' expert picks for the game:
- Jarrett Bell: Texans
- Chris Bumbaca: Texans
- Nate Davis: Texans
- Tyler Dragon: Texans
- Mike Middlehurst-Schwartz: Texans
- Lorenzo Reyes: Texans
Caleb Williams is first No. 1 overall pick to win NFL debut as starting QB since 2002
Caleb Williams accomplished a rare feat in Week 1, becoming the first No. 1 overall quarterback selection to win his NFL debut since David Carr with the Houston Texans in 2002.
Williams' debut was less than ideal statistically — 14 completions on 29 attempts for 93 yards and no touchdowns in a 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans.
David Carr's win came in the inaugural game for the expansion Texans, a 19-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Before Williams' win last week, the past 15 No. 1 picks who were quarterbacks were a combined 0-14-1 in their first starts, beginning with the Cincinnati Bengals' Carson Palmer in 2003.
Who is the highest-paid NFL player?
The NFL's top 18 players in average annual salary are all quarterbacks, according to OverTheCap.com. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott became the league's highest-paid player on the season's opening Sunday, agreeing to a four-year, $240 million deal. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is the first non-quarterback on the highest-paid list after striking a four-year, $140 million contract extension this offseason.
- Complete list of the league’s highest-paid players
Who are the highest paid NFL players at each position?
We have a complete list at every position:
- Quarterbacks
- Running backs
- Wide receivers
- Tight ends
- Offensive tackles
- Offensive guards
- Centers
- Edge rushers
- Interior defensive linemen
- Linebackers
- Cornerbacks
- Safeties
- Kickers
- Punters
4th & Monday: Our NFL newsletter always brings the blitz 📰
Do you like football? Then you'll enjoy getting our NFL newsletter delivered to your inbox. 📲
Get the latest news, expert analysis, game insights and the must-see moments from the NFL conveniently delivered to your email inbox. Sign up now!
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY operates independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.