By Kevin Fishbain, Adam Jahns, Mike Jones and Lauren Merola

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams threw his first (and second) interception of his NFL career against the Houston Texans on Sunday night at NRG Stadium – and behind a shaky Chicago offensive line.

The Bears’ defense was as valiant as it was in Week 1, but the offense couldn’t get the yards or points on the final drive to secure the win.

After a scoreless stalemate between the two teams in the third quarter, the Texans and Bears scored two field goals and Chicago cut the gap to 19-13 with less than three minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Texans failed to score on the ensuing drive and punted the ball back to the Bears with 1 1/2 minutes left in regulation. But Chicago had no magic tricks up its sleeve and officially fell to 1-1 on the season after Williams failed to hit Rome Odunze on fourth-and-17.

After the game, Texans quarterback CJ Stroud said he believed Williams’ performance would “get better with time.”

“I just told (Williams after the game) that everything that got you here is going to benefit you in the long run,” Stroud said. “Don’t be discouraged. Don’t let a tough time discourage you. It’s not going to be easy. You were picked No. 1 and for a reason. I wish him the best.”

With this win, the Texans are the ninth 2-0 team in the NFL. The other teams in the Texans’ division, the AFC South, are 0-2.

Stroud is the blueprint for young quarterbacks

While Stroud didn’t make waves with a string of touchdown passes, he once again showed why he’s one of the league’s best young quarterbacks and one of the most efficient passers regardless of experience.

He completed 23 of 36 passes for 260 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, posting a passer rating of 94.7. Bobby Slowik’s commitment to his young quarterback and the way he supports him should serve as a model for the Bears and other teams with young quarterbacks.

AN ELITE LITTER FROM CJ7️⃣ ON THE AIR ‼️

📺: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/tiuHx3rOKu

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) 16 September 2024

Houston’s best offenses featured a good run-to-pass ratio, misdirection plays, end-arounds and quick passes to get the ball out of Stroud’s hands quickly to beat the rush and help him get into a rhythm. Slowik’s counterpart Shane Waldron is also an offshoot of the Shanahan coaching pedigree, having coached under Sean McVay, but he would do well to study Houston’s approach to helping Williams, who leads an offense that has done very little to establish a running game or keep the defense off balance. — Mike Jones, national NFL writer

Texans defense lets Williams down

Speaking of Williams, to the Texans’ credit, the defense never left the top rookie alone. Williams looked good on the first possession of the game, completing 5 of 5 passing attempts for 55 yards. But the Texans adjusted and applied steady pressure to Williams, who seemed to push harder as the game went on and was guilty of trying too hard.

Williams is clearly still adjusting to the speed of the game. He appeared panicked when Bears defenders rushed him, and under pressure he often tried to dodge and extend plays, just as he did at USC. The problem, however, is that defenders in the NFL are much faster and more disciplined, and Williams often found himself facing linebackers and linemen charging at him.

With the Bears essentially running a one-dimensional offense, the Texans’ defenders were able to sit back and attack the rookie, sacking Williams seven times, hitting him many more times, and intercepting him twice.

The Texans’ complementary football style paved the way for a hard-fought victory. — Jones

The Bears’ offensive line is a serious problem

The Bears’ biggest concern coming into the season, the offensive line, has proven to be a serious problem. Williams was pushed around all night, sacked seven times and hit 11 times.

How about another @HoustonTexans Sack 😤

📺: #CHIvsHOU on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/iQ09zqRzTp

— NFL (@NFL) 16 September 2024

Right tackle Darnell Wright, who had performed well for most of the night (aside from a few unforgivable false starts), lost his reputation when it mattered most when he allowed a sack on Danielle Hunter on the Bears’ final drive. But the infield continued to be the real problem, with pressure mounting at midfield throughout the game. Ryan Bates being placed on the injured list could prove to be a real disadvantage, as had he been healthy, he might have started at right guard.

The Bears are forced to make quick passes. There is no time for long passes. The running backs have nowhere to go. This is a familiar story in Chicago and there is no quick fix. — Kevin Fishbain, sports reporter for the Bears

A day full of growing pains for Williams

The Bears defense gave Williams a chance to be a hero on Sunday night. With 1:37 left, he got the ball on his own 20-yard line. A touchdown and an extra point would have given the Bears the win. But the team is simply not ready for such moments.

After a pass to rookie receiver Odunze that gained him 27 yards, tight end Gerald Everett dropped a pass and Williams was sacked on second down. He fought his way to a 1-yard gain on third and 18. A final throw to Odunze on fourth down missed. There was no comeback for the Bears this time.

Williams will get more chances. Instead, Sunday was full of growing pains for him. His offensive line struggled and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s plays were once again questionable. — Adam Jahns, sports reporter for the Bears

Required reading

(Photo: Alex Slitz/Getty Images)