Official Texans @ Bears Game Thread, 9/25/2022

[Arky]

The 0-1-1 Texans head off to Chicago to play the 1-1 Bears this Sunday in an early game on CBS. Surprisingly, the Texans are 4-1 all time vs. the Bears. They last met in the dismal 2020 season when the Bears got their first win against the Texans, 36-7 (I missed the memo about why they are playing just 2 years later instead of 4 years). Mitch Trubisky carved them up that day for 3 TDs and no INTs and Deshaun Watson had a safety to aid their cause.

This year, the Bears are led by QB Justin Fields who doesn't pass a whole lot and is more likely to run with the ball than pass. When he does pass, he often goes to the other Bears running backs David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert. It's early in the year but the Bears defense is rated 7th vs. the pass and last (32nd) vs. the run. So, hello Dameon Pierce.

The Texans need to start showing a pulse on offense and get the TDs instead of the FGs. The Bears are favored by 2½ to 3 so at a neutral site, it would be a coin flip as to who the winner is. It's a winnable game but obviously they have to execute.

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TV = CBS (channel 11 local), Sunday, noon CST, September 25, 2022

Announcers = Andrew Catalon, James Lofton

The line = Bears by 2½ to 3

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Other Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

FOX (early) = New Orleans @ Carolina, Dan Hellie, Matt Millen

FOX (late) = Green Bay @ Tampa Bay, Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen

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Prime time:

TNF = Pittsburgh @ Cleveland (Amazon)

SNF = San Francisco @ Denver (NBC)

MNF = Dallas @ NY Giants (ESPN/ABC)

[Keith]

Not sure what's up with Justin Britt, but his backup Scott Quessenberry is already causing an injury timeout on the first offensive drive of the game. Someone named Jimmy Morrissey is snapping. Third center for the team. It is Week 3.

Texans likely to be determined to run the ball today, and sure enough, first couple plays are handoffs to Dameon Pierce and the OL isn't giving him any room. Six yards against what is supposed to be a poor run defense.

Bears converted a field goal on their opening drive.

Texans 0, Bears 3

[Arky]

Titans, Colts, Bengals, Bills all up 7-0.

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Starting to look like a long day in Chicago. Bears have many injuries yet look like a team on a mission....

[Arky]

Herbert runs it in from 11 yards out for the Bears.

Bears 10, Texans 0

6:46 left in the first quarter.

[Keith]

David Mongomery gets hurt and his backup plays better. Khalil Herbert 11-yd rushing TD.

Texans 0, Bears 10

Bears already with 111 rushing yards with 6:45 in the 1st quarter.

[Keith]

Heard someone say pregame that the best Bears head coach since Mike Ditka was going to be on the sidelines today.

Wonder how much that opinion changes midway thru the first quarter?

Good news... Quessenberry is back at center. Big pass completion to Chris Moore gets the Texans at the doorstep of the the red zone. Longest play of their season.

[Arky]

Mills hits Akins in the end zone for the 4 yard TD pass.

Bears 10, Texans 7

3:40 left in the 1st qtr.

[Keith]

Pierce had the ball punched out from him, but fortunately someone fell on it to keep the drive alive.

Tytus Howard stepped out for a couple plays dinged up. Heck relieved him, but Howard was back on the field in time for the score.

Jordan Akins scores for the first time since 2020. Nice job by Davis Mills to remain patient in the pocket to let that develop.

Texans 7, Bears 10
3:40 1st quarter

[Arky]

Mills short pass to Cooks in the end zone is hit into the air by a Bear and INTed by another Bear. Bears ball at the 20.

1st qtr winds down.

Bears 10, Texans 7

[Arky]

Lions up 14-0 on the Vikings.

Eagles 10, Redskins 0

Panthers 10, Saints 0

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Bears punt and the Texans will be starting at their 31 yard line.

13:39 left in the half.

[Arky]

Texans punt and the Bears will be starting at their 10 yard line.

Bears with 120 yards rushing.

11:47 left in the 1st half.

[Arky]

Desmond King with a 31 yard return on the Bear's punt.

Texans at the Bear's 41.

Pierce gets loose for 25.

Pierce for 9 more.

Pierce now 10/58.

Pierce punches it in from the 1 for a TD!

Texans 14, Bears 10

7:32 left in the half.

[Keith]

Pierce now 66 yds on 12 rushes (5.5) with the score. Looking a bit more like how he showed in preseason.

Bears shockingly ran it on 3rd and 6 before punting to the Texans immediately before that TD drive. Showing a lack of faith in Justin Fields, though he is 3-7 for 21 yds and a pick already today. Chicago fans booed that decision, of course.

[Arky]

Bears add a FG. Santos good from 50.

Texans 14, Bears 13

1:48 left in the half.

[Arky]

Texans go 3 and out and punt it away. Bear's ball at their 10 yard line with 1:04 left in the half.

[Arky]

Texans begin the 2nd half with a drive that ends in a 42-yard Fairbairn FG.

Texans 17, Bears 13

11:25 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Herbert punches it in from the 1 for a Bear's TD. Earlier had a 52 yard run in the drive.

Bears 20, Texans 17

8:25 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Fairbairn good from 23 on a drive the Texans really should have had a TD.

Texans 20, Bears 20

54 seconds left in the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Pitre with a big INT!

Texans set up shop at the Bears 39 with 14:48 left in the game.

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Eh, Texans go backwards, have to punt.

Johnson's punt pins the Bears at their 8 yard line.

[Arky]

That might do it. Less than 2 minutes left, Texans deep in their own territory, Mills' pass is tipped and INT'ed by the Bears. Bears only have to kick the easy FG for the win...