Osweiler solid in debut to lead Houston over Bears 23-14

Standing beside a field-sized American flag on September 11, Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz waited for his first game against his hometown Bears.

On Sunday, the Brock Osweiler era in Houston officially began.

Fuller found plenty of space, Osweiler settled in after the first-quarter interception and Lamar Miller topped 100 rushing yards (106) against that defense. That’s next Sunday at NRG Stadium. “But I don’t want to pin exactly what this offense is going to be or what direction we’re going until we get a little more involved”. I mean, we didn’t even know who was going to play opposite Tracy Porter, let alone how the anyone was going to perform against a receiver corps that features DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, and Braxton Miller. Underrated subplot to that interception was Hal quickly forgetting the 54-yard catch he allowed to Bears WR Alshon Jeffrey to set up Chicago’s go ahead touchdown late in the second quarter. The Texans went up nine on the ensuing drive. But on the ensuing drive following the Fuller drop, Cutler and the Bears covered 75 yards in three plays.

When the Bears re-signed Willie Young and drafted Leonard Floyd with their first round pick this year, they made both moves with the intention of creating matchup nightmares for opposing offensive lines. They managed five sacks of Cutler, including two from linebacker Whitney Mercilus. Osweiler came up big on third and short during that drive, hitting Fuller with a 35-yard completion.

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler passed for 216 yards and a touchdown but was harassed throughout the second half by the Texans’ defensive front. The longest punt return by the Texans was 13 yards, and the longest kickoff return was 28 yards. But last year’s Defensive Player of the Year wasn’t as effective as he normally is, and seemed to have a tough time dealing with three-time Pro Bowl left guard Josh Sitton. Houston signed QB Brock Osweiler away from the Denver Broncos with a high dollar contract in the offseason in the hope of soling its longtime issues at the position, even as JJ Watt and the defense continue to try to propel the Texans into postseason contention, playing at home today. Cutler then threw a strike to Eddie Royal for the touchdown and the extra point by Barth was good. Look at you, Bears offense! A few of those second-half possessions were especially infuriating, what with the standard two not-good-enough runs followed by easily defensed passes that everyone knew were coming. The Texans closed the gap, but still trailed, 14-13.

He made the most of one of those targets on an 18-yard screen pass that went for a touchdown and gave the Texans the lead for good in the fourth quarter. The Lions were in trouble when Doyle caught his second touchdown of the day and Vinatieri nailed the PAT, giving the Colts their first lead.

After a flawless preseason, the Houston Texans kept their winning ways by taking the season opener by beating the Chicago Bears 23-14.

Neither team was able to light up the scoreboard for the remainder of the contest, and the final score was 23-14. The new additions performed admirably, and numerous old guard stepped up like they always have.

I thought the Texans game-planned and attacked the Bears in a way that the Bears should have attacked the Texans. “We need to clean that up and I think we will”. Look, it’s the NFL.

The legendary linebacker was the last Bears player to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, capturing that award in 2000. The defense held the Texans to only two total touchdowns, and one of three in the red zone.