Texans 19, Bears 13: Caleb Williams Takes a Beating

We waited all day for Sunday night. Unfortunately, the Chicago Bears did not make it worth the wait as the Houston Texans came away with a victory defending their home t🉐urf.

FINAL: Houston Texans 19, Chicago Bears 13 ()

Four thoughts on the Bears’ Week 2 loss

This offense is so, so, soooo far away from being good. And it is even further away from being as good as we thought it could be based on the skill position players that were added this offseason. The root of Chicago’s offensive problem begins with the interior of its offensive line. But unless there is an O-line version of the Montez Sweat trade out there, the Bears will have to dance with the dudes they brought to the shindig. And that scares me because I don’t know how many more times Caleb Williams can take 7 sacks and 11 quarterback hits.

I’m concerned about the Bears’ shotgun formation usage in short-yardage situations. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want them to become predictable or play smashmouth football for the sake of it. But it would be nice to know that this offense had a play where it could line up, go hat-for-hat, and push the line back enough for a ball carrier to get one stinkin’ yard. With that being said, it is tough to do that when your interior offensive line isn’t trustworthy.

This is the second consecutive game in which Chicago’s defense has gotten off to a slow start. But for the second consecutive game, The D turned it around in the second half and was the reason this game wasn’t a total blowout — which it very well could’ve been had C.J. Stroud hit a few shots that the defense forced misses on. In the end, that unit finished with 3 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, 6 tackles-for-loss, 5 pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. That group almost snagged an INT, too. Fist bumps for a relentless showing on that side of the ball.

Matt Eberflus got a fresh fade and a lineup in the offseason. And while I appreciate a clean cut as much (if not more) as the next guy, I’m going to need him to consult someone (anyone) on timeout usage and challenge flag deployment. Today’s decisions were highly questionable in real-time and after the fact. This is something the whole staff has to clean up, but it starts up top with the head coach.

Three Bears highlights

Death, taxes, and the Chicago Bears defense doing seemingly superhuman stuff to keep the dream alive:

Still fighting 😤 f📖orces the fumble and comes up with♚ it!

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears)

On the one hand, there is no way you can continue to keep asking Chicago’s defense to bail out its offense. But on the other hand, I am pretty sure I’ve been writing that first sentence for as long as I’ve been watching this franchise. And every year, it’s the defense making magic happen while the offense struggles. Kudos to the D. It didn’t quite tonight.

DJ Moore led the Bears in targets (10), catches (6), and receiving yards (53). And while there wasn’t much to write home about with this offense, Moore had this highlight:

This DJ Moore route is FILTHY

— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears)

It feels like all Jack Sanborn does is make plays:

ENTER SANDMAN

📺: on NBC

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears)

I’m not sure how to slide him in the lineup more when Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards get the bulk of the snaps at the WILL and MIKE linebacker spots. And if the Bears are going to run a ton of 3-CB sets, that’ll make it tough for him to get PT. But the guy makes plays. That much I know.

How did the three Bears perform?

DJ Moore – Patrick nailed it when he said Moore has to be a focal point of this week’s game plan. Clearly, he was the main man as he led the team in targets, catches, and receiving yards. But there were some misses on Caleb Williams’ part that kept Moore’s day (and Caleb’s, too) from being better. That back-shoulder fade down the left sideline (which left DJ visibly upset) is one throw I’m sure Caleb wishes he had back.

Teven Jenkins – Matt hit the bullseye on underscoring the left guard’s importance to this matchup. Unfortunately, the interior of the offensive line struggled so much as a whole that it is impossible not to lump Jenkins in with the rest. I struggle to grade offensive linemen immediately (save for the rare and very obvious exceptions). But so far, Teven doesn’t look like his normal self. I’m not sure what’s up with that. I have some thoughts, but I think I’ll sleep on ’em.

INSTANT BEARS PLAYER GRADES: Houston, We Have a Problem

T.J. Edwards — Perhaps I won’t try and make a trendy linebacker pick next week. Although, my heart was in the right place for this one. Edwards came up with 7 solo tackles (8 total), but didn’t have any splash plays (no tackles-for-loss, quarterback hits, sacks, pass breakups, or interceptions). But it’s not as if the Texans’ running game got off the ground, so kudos to Edwards for his efforts on that front.

WHAT’S NEXT: Sunday, Sept. 🌠22 — at Ind🔯ianapolis Colts, noon CT (CBS)

There is no rest for the weary. Next week’s matchup between the Bears and Colts is a showdown between a 1-1 Bears team and 0-2 Colts team that might be kin to a taffy pull. Both squads will be coming off games where each is licking its wounds after taking a Week 2 loss. I’ll be there in attendance at Lucas Oil Stadium. So if anyone has good Indy eating tips, you know where to find me. And if anyone has an idea on how to fortify the offensive line between now and then, please alert the authorities at Halas Hall.