Live In-Game Updates: Texans Lose 23-20 To Bears
HOUSTON — When coach Lovie Smith walks into Soldier Field stadium on Sunday, it will be the second time in his career to do so as an opponent.
Smith's first chance came during the 2014 season when he was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Quarterback Josh McCown spoiled Smith's return to Soldier Field by leading the Chicago Bears to a 21-13 victory over the Buccaneers.
If there were any emotions ahead of Smith's homecoming in Chicago, it would have taken place eight years ago.
Instead of reminiscing about the past, Smith is concentrating on helping the 0-1-1 Houston Texans win their first game of the 2022 campaign in a game against the 1-1 Bears.
"I get a chance to have my dream job here based on starting there," Smith said. "A lot of great times, we still have a home there, friends. My wife is from Chicago. All positive, appreciative of everything that happened there during my time."
Since Smith's jettison in 2013, the two respective parties have yet to replicate the level of success they experienced together. Chicago went 10-6 during Smith's final season in 2012.
Over the past decade, the Bears have had only one winning season (2018) since his departure. Following his release from the Buccaneers in 2015, Smith had a short stint as head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini from 2016-2020.
1st Quarter
The Bears received possession first and nearly fumbled on their first snap of the game. Second-year quarterback Justin Fields rushed for 29 yards following missed tackles by Jonathan Greenard and Jerry Hughes.
Despite getting deep with the Texans' territory, Houston held the Bears to a 47-yard field goal on their first drive.
Bears 3, Texans 0
Change of possession.
The Texans could not do much on their first possession of the game — three-and-out for Houston.
Change of possession.
On the first play of the Bears' second drive, wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown rushed for 41 yards. St. Brown's play set up an 11-yard touchdown by backup running back Khalil Herbert to put the Bears ahead 10-0 over the Texans.
Chicago's starting running back David Montgomery injured his right leg during the possession.
Bears 10, Texans 0
Change of possession.
Second-year prospect Davis Mills connected with wide receiver Chris Moore for a 53-yard gain. Mills later found veteran tight end Jordan Akins for the Texans' third touchdown of the season.
Akins was elevated from the Texans' practice squad due to the injury of second-year tight end Brevin Jordan.
Bears 10, Texans 7
Change of possession.
Rookie defensive back Jalen Pitre recorded his first career interception during Fields' pass attempt to tight end Cole Kmet.
Change of possession.
Despite a solid gain by Mills' pass to Nico Collins for 19-yards, he later threw his first interception of the season.
2nd Quarter
Change of possession.
Following Chicago's interception, the Bears went three-and-out during the next possession. Defensive end Jerry Hughes recorded Houston's first sack of the game following a tackle on Fields.
Change of possession.
It took only five plays for 13 yards for the Texans to punt the ball for the second time in four offensive drives.
Change of possession.
Following a great stop by linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, it was another three-and-out for the Bears.
Change of possession.
Pierce took full control of the Texans' first drive of the second quarter. He rushed for 41 yards en route of his first career touchdown as the Texans took a 14-10 lead over the Bears.
Texans 14, Bears 10
The Bears' longest drive of the game resulted in a 50-yard field goal by Cairo Santos. Hughes disrupted the momentum of the Bears by recording a nine-yard sack on Fields.
Texans 14, Bears 13
Change of possession.
A disappointing three-and-out for the Texans.
Change of possession.
Defensive linemen Greenard and Rasheem Green ended the first half by splitting a sack on Fields. Texans hold a 14-13 lead over the Bears at the half.
End of Half
3rd Quarter
The Texans had a modest start to the second half that ended with a 39-yard field goal made by Ka'imi Fairbairn — Houston leads 17-13 over Chicago.
Texans 17, Bears 13
Change of possession.
The Texans put together their worst defensive drive of the season. First, the Texans gave up a 52-yard run by Herbert and later a 20-yard reception by St. Brown. The Bears' start to the third quarter ended with Herbert scoring his second touchdown of the game. Chicago took a 20-17 lead over the Texans.
Bears 20, Texans 17
Change of possession.
A fake punt helped the Texans keep their drive alive. Following the conversion, Mills connected with Collins for 22 yards. Veteran wide receiver Phillip Dorsett stepped up huge on 3-and-7 with a 15-yard reception from Mills. Despite being in the red zone, the Texans had to settle with a 23-yard field goal by Fairbairn.
Bears 20, Texans 20
4th Quarter
Change of possession.
The Bears opened the fourth quarter with Pitre recording his second interception on Fields.
Change of possession.
Headlined by defensive tackle Justin Jones' sack on Mills, the Texans went three-and-out following Pitre's interception.
Change of possession.
Fields' completion to Kmet on 3rd-and-6 helped create some momentum for the Bears. A significant illegal substitution penalty on the Texans nearly cost Houston some yardages, but the Bears failed to convert.
Change of possession.
Following a near takeaway by the Bears, Mills found tight end Pharaoh Brown for a 30-yard gain. Unfortunately, a holding call on Scott Quessenberry pushed the Texans to 1-and-20, where the franchise failed to get anything going.
Change of possession.
With 3:05 left in the fourth quarter, Herbert rushed for 19 yards at the start of the drive. Two plays later, Pitre came up huge with his first career sack on Fields to push Chicago to 3rd-and-16.
Change of possession.
With 1:42 left in the fourth quarter, Mills open the drive with two completions. On his third pass attempt, linebacker Roquan Smith forced Mills into his second interception of the game.
Change of possession.
With 1:01 left in the fourth quarter, the Bears kept the Texans winless with a 30-yard game-winning field goal. Texans lose to Bears 23-20.
End of Game.
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