Texans quarterback CJ Stroud completed 23 of 36 passes for 260 yards with one TD, no turnovers and a 94.7 passer rating. Nico Collins led Houston with eight catches for 135 yards and his team’s only TD on a 28-yard reception.
Fairbairn’s 56-yard field goal gave the Texans a 3-0 lead on the game’s opening possession. The drive was sustained by Stroud’s 8-yard pass to running back Joe Mixon on third-and-6.
The Bears responded, tying the score at 3-3 on a 53-yard field goal by Santos. Williams completed 5 of 5 passes for 55 yards on the possession, including a 14-yard laser beam to receiver DeAndre Carter on third-and-12 to the right.
The Texans took a 10-3 lead on second-and-24 on Stroud’s TD pass to Collins on the first play of the second quarter. The snap came after Collins picked up a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for hitting cornerback Tyrique Stevenson in the mask.
Stroud was 4 of 4 for 70 yards on the drive, including an 18-yard completion to tight end Kate Stover on a play-action pass on fourth-and-1 from the 50.
After Bears went three-and-out, the Texans extended their lead to 13-3 on Fairbairn’s 47-yard field goal. On third-and-10 from the Houston 23, Stroud’s 21-yard pass to receiver Stefon Diggs.
The Bears then scored their first offensive touchdown of the season on Herbert’s 2-yard run to cut the deficit to 13-10 with:32 left in the half. The TD came after receiver Carter drew a pass interference penalty on safety Galen Bullock at the Texans’ 6 on a third-and-14 play from the 30.
Fairbairn’s 59-yard field goal widened the lead to 16-10 with :01 left in the half. A 16-yard pass from Stroud set up the onside kick to Collins.
Both teams held their first three possessions of the second half before Williams made his first turnover of the game when his long pass intended for DJ Moore was intercepted by cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. at the Houston 34.
The Texans turned the takeaway into a 53-yard field goal by Fairbairn with 13:39 left in the fourth quarter.
On Williams’ second straight drive, his pass to Cole Gmet was intercepted by cornerback Kamari Lassiter.
The Texans reached the Bears 4. But on first-and-goal, Andrew Billings forced a Cam Akers fumble, and Kevin Byrd III recovered at the 3.
Converting the takeaway, Santos made it a 19-13 game with a 54-yard field goal with 2:51 left. But the Bears couldn’t finish the rally.
“We didn’t act the way we needed to,” Williams said. “We’re going to continue to get better. It’s all about the response. It’s Week 2. I’m a young guy, but I understand it’s a long season. I understand it’s Week 2 and we’re going to respond and get better every day.”
