But the Bears’ offense was limited to three points in the second half. Eight drives resulted in four punts, two interceptions, one field goal and one turnover on downs.
Williams completed 23 of 37 passes for 174 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions and a passer rating of 51.0. Bears running backs D’Andre Swift (14 carries for 18 yards) and Herbert (3 yards on 2 carries) combined for 71 yards on 22 attempts.
CJ Stroud completed 23 of 36 passes for 260 yards, one touchdown and a rating of 94.7.
The Texans took a 3-0 lead early in the game with a 56-yard field goal by Fairbairn. The offense was aided by Stroud’s 8-yard pass to running back Joe Mixon on third-and-6.
The Bears responded, tying the score to 3-3 with a 53-yard field goal by Cairo Santos. Williams completed 5 of 5 passes for 55 yards, including a 14-yard laser beam to receiver DeAndre Carter down the right sideline on third-and-12.
The Texans took a 10-3 lead when Stroud threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to receiver Nico Collins on the first play of the second quarter. The touchdown came one snap after Collins received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for hitting cornerback Tyrique Stevenson on the face guard after the whistle.
Stroud completed 4 of 4 passes for 70 yards on that drive, including an 18-yard pass to tight end Cade Stover on a play-action pass on fourth down and 1 from the 50-yard line.
After the Bears went three out, the Texans increased their lead to 13-3 on Fairbairn’s 47-yard field goal. The drive was aided by Stroud’s 21-yard pass to receiver Stefon Diggs on third-and-10 from the Houston 23-yard line.
The Bears later scored their first offensive touchdown on Herbert’s 2-yard run to cut the deficit to 13-10 with 32 minutes left in the half. The touchdown came after Carter received a pass interference penalty against safety Calen Bullock at the Texans’ 6-yard line on a third-and-14 play from the 30-yard line.
Fairbairn’s 59-yard field goal extended the gap to 16-10 with 1 minute left in the half. The kick was set up by Stroud’s 16-yard pass to Collins on the sideline.
Both teams punted on their first three possessions of the second half before Williams’ long pass intended for DJ Moore was intercepted by cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. at the Houston 34-yard line, marking the first turnover of the game for either team.
The Texans converted the ball gain into a 53-yard field goal for Fairbairn and extended the lead to 19-10 with 13:39 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Then Williams’ second consecutive drive was intercepted when his pass intended for Cole Kmet was intercepted by cornerback Kamari Lassiter.
The Texans reached the Bears’ 4 on the next drive. But on the first attempt, Andrew Billings forced running back Cam Akers to fumble and Kevin Byard III recovered the ball at the 3.
Santos tied the game with a 54-yard field goal with 2:51 left to make it 19-13, capping a 12-play drive. The Bears defense then forced Houston to punt on their next possession and the offense took control at Chicago’s 20-yard line with 1:37 left. But after Williams’ 27-yard pass to Rome Odunze, the Bears lost the ball after two incomplete passes, a sack and an illegal lineup penalty.
With the loss, the Bears fell to 1-1. They’ll be back on the road next Sunday to face the Colts in Indianapolis.
