Chicago Bears vs Houston Texans Match Player Stats show how the Week 2 matchup on September 15, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston unfolded. The Texans earned a hard-fought 19–13 win. C.J. Stroud threw for 260 yards and one touchdown, Nico Collins had a career night with 135 receiving yards, and Ka’imi Fairbairn made all four of his long field goals.

The Bears stayed close behind rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who passed for 174 yards and ran for 44 more. Running back Khalil Herbert scored their only touchdown, while kicker Cairo Santos kept the score tight with two deep field goals. The game was less about big offensive plays and more about defense, pressure, and special teams.

Game Overview: Low Scoring and Physical

This contest was a defensive battle from start to finish. Houston finished with 310 total yards compared to Chicago’s 205. The Texans won the passing game, while the Bears relied on short throws and quarterback runs to keep pace.

Both teams committed penalties that stalled drives. Houston was flagged 12 times for 115 yards, while Chicago had nine penalties for 60 yards. The Texans’ defense set the tone with a strong pass rush, while their kicker provided most of the points. Chicago’s defense stiffened after halftime, allowing only three points, but the offense could not fully capitalize.

Quarterback Performances

C.J. Stroud: Calm and Steady

Stroud played with poise. He completed 23 of 36 passes for 260 yards and a 28-yard touchdown to Nico Collins. He did not throw an interception and finished with a passer rating of 94.7. Though sacked three times, he stayed in rhythm, especially on third downs, keeping drives alive.

Caleb Williams: Under Pressure

Caleb Williams, in just his second NFL start, went 23 of 37 for 174 yards but threw two interceptions. His passer rating was 51.0. Early on, he completed his first seven passes and showed athleticism with 44 rushing yards on five carries, including a 17-yard scramble. But the Texans sacked him seven times, and his two second-half interceptions ended promising drives.

Running Game Breakdown

Both teams struggled to move the ball on the ground.

Houston rotated backs but never found rhythm. Cam Akers and Joe Mixon combined for modest yardage, and Tank Dell added 16 on trick plays. Chicago leaned on D’Andre Swift, but he gained just 18 yards on 14 carries. Williams’ scrambles were the team’s best rushing weapon, with Herbert’s short touchdown the lone highlight.

Chicago Bears vs Houston Texans Match Player Stats — See complete stats at ESPN

Receiving Highlights

Texans’ Passing Game

Nico Collins was the star. He caught eight passes for 135 yards and scored on a 28-yard touchdown that gave Houston a second-quarter lead. Another 16-yard reception helped set up a 59-yard field goal just before halftime. Stefon Diggs added 37 yards on four catches, while Tank Dell had 25 yards.

Bears’ Pass Catchers

Chicago’s leading receiver was DJ Moore, with six catches for 53 yards. Rookie Rome Odunze contributed two receptions for 33 yards, including a 27-yard grab on the final drive. DeAndre Carter chipped in with two catches for 20 yards. Without Keenan Allen, who missed the game with a heel injury, the group had trouble creating separation.

Defensive Impact

Texans’ Pressure and Turnovers

Houston’s defense set the tone. They recorded seven sacks, with Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. each contributing 1.5. Anderson also made eight tackles. Mario Edwards added one sack. In the secondary, Derek Stingley Jr. and rookie Kamari Lassiter intercepted Williams in the second half, stopping Chicago’s comeback hopes.

Bears’ Defensive Effort

Chicago’s defense kept the game close. Tremaine Edmunds led the way with eight solo tackles and one sack. The Bears forced a fumble from Cam Akers near the goal line but failed to turn it into points. They limited Houston to only three points after halftime, but without offensive support, their efforts fell short.

Special Teams Decide the Outcome

Special teams played a major role in this game.

Fairbairn was perfect, hitting from deep distances, including three beyond 50 yards. His performance was historic, as he became the first player in NFL history to make five or more 50-yard field goals in a two-game span. Santos was steady for Chicago, also making both of his long attempts and keeping the game competitive.

Key Moments of the Game

• Second Quarter: Stroud connected with Collins for a 28-yard touchdown to put Houston ahead.

• Second Quarter: Khalil Herbert scored on a 2-yard run, cutting the Texans’ lead to 13–10.

• Halftime Swing: Fairbairn’s 59-yard field goal just before the break gave Houston a 16–10 advantage.

• Second Half: Williams threw two interceptions, both ending potential Bears scoring drives.

• Late Drive: Danielle Hunter’s sack on second down and an incomplete pass on fourth-and-17 sealed Houston’s win.

Side-by-Side Team Stats

This table shows Houston’s strength in passing and defensive pressure, while Chicago controlled possession but could not convert it into points.

Historical Context

This victory gave Houston a 4–3 lead in the all-time series against Chicago. The Texans had dominated early meetings, winning four straight from 2002 to 2012. The Bears won the next two, including a close 23–20 game in 2022. The 2024 win was Houston’s first over Chicago in 12 years, built on defense and special teams.

Broader Takeaways

For the Texans, this game highlighted the importance of balance. Stroud and Collins showed they can form one of the league’s most productive duos. The pass rush proved powerful, and Fairbairn’s leg was a hidden weapon. At the same time, the high number of penalties and a shaky running game were concerns that must be addressed.

For the Bears, the night reflected the challenges of a young team. Caleb Williams showed talent, mobility, and resilience but also inexperience. The offensive line struggled, allowing seven sacks. The run game failed to support him, and turnovers hurt. Still, the defense played hard, and Santos’ reliable kicking kept them within reach.

Closing Reflection

The Chicago Bears vs Houston Texans Match Player Stats tell the story of a game decided by pressure, poise, and special teams. Houston found a way to win through Stroud’s calm leadership, Collins’ big plays, and Fairbairn’s historic accuracy. Chicago, led by Williams and a determined defense, showed effort and flashes of promise but could not overcome mistakes.

Sometimes the beauty of football lies not in high scores but in the details the long kicks, the timely sacks, and the small margins that decide victory. For Houston, this was a step forward in maturity and execution. For Chicago, it was part of the journey of growth, learning, and building for the future.