Bears' Defense Shines Despite Lackluster Offense in Loss to Texans

HOUSTON -- The Chicago Bears faced a familiar scenario in their game against the Houston Texans, falling behind by double digits for the second week in a row. Once again, the defense had to shoulder the burden, echoing the pattern seen in their season opener. Despite a strong defensive performance, the Bears' offense, led by Caleb Williams, failed to make significant progress during the critical final drive of "Sunday Night Football," resulting in a 19-13 defeat.

Williams showed some improvement from his 93-yard performance in the Bears' Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans, but he still faced challenges against the Texans. The quarterback was under pressure on 35% of his dropbacks, highlighting ongoing issues with Chicago's pass protection and rushing game. The Bears managed just 71 rushing yards on 22 attempts, with Williams contributing 44 yards on five scrambles.

"When everything clicks and we’re all on the same page, it’s going to be great," wide receiver DJ Moore remarked. "For now, we’re still in the process of figuring things out—building a puzzle, so to speak. Until that puzzle is complete, we're going to experience some ups and downs."

Williams went 23 for 37, throwing for 174 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions while being sacked seven times. The Bears managed their only touchdown drive before halftime, with Williams leading Chicago into the red zone—its second trip inside the 20-yard line in two games. The drive, which covered 49 yards on eight plays, ended with a 2-yard touchdown run by Khalil Herbert.

With high expectations set, the Bears' total of just 353 yards over two weeks mirrors past struggles.

"It's frustrating," tight end Cole Kmet admitted. "It feels like we’ve been having this conversation for years. We knew this would be a process, so there’s still a lot of work ahead of us. The reality of the NFL is hitting us hard offensively. We need to regroup, address our mistakes from the past game, and move forward."

The Texans put significant pressure on Williams with a heavy blitz scheme, attacking 41.7% of his dropbacks. According to Next Gen Stats, Houston generated 12 pressures and five sacks during these blitzes, with nine defenders recording multiple pressures. Williams reported no major injuries following the game.

"I’m a bit bruised up," Williams said. "I took a few hits today. I’ll be hitting the ice tubs and doing everything necessary to ensure my body is ready for practice and the next game."

Williams has struggled under pressure, completing just 14% of his passes when harassed. The Bears' deep passing game remains ineffective, as Williams was 0-for-11 on throws of at least 15 yards downfield against the Titans and Texans, with all attempts off target.

Chicago’s receiving group received some positive news before the game, as rookie Rome Odunze, who has been dealing with an MCL sprain, was cleared to play. Meanwhile, veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen, with a heel injury, was sidelined for Week 2.

"We hoped he might be able to make it to the game and potentially participate," Coach Matt Eberflus said about Allen. "That didn't work out. We’ll assess the situation in the coming days."

Williams recorded his first turnover of the season when Houston cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. intercepted a pass intended for DJ Moore in the third quarter. This allowed the Texans to increase their lead to nine points with a 53-yard field goal from Ka'imi Fairbairn.

The rookie threw another interception early in the fourth quarter while trying to evade a sack attempt by defensive end Danielle Hunter, who tore Williams' jersey in the process. Williams threw a deep pass into triple coverage while targeting Cole Kmet, but it was picked off by Kamari Lassiter.

"There were moments where he did a good job maneuvering in the pocket and making some solid throws, which are positive takeaways," Eberflus noted. "He also managed to evade the rush and make plays on the perimeter. However, he needs to be more cautious with the football during scramble situations. These are valuable learning experiences for him regarding how to handle pressure and when to make certain decisions."