HOUSTON – The undefeated, defending AFC South champion Texans are off to a 2-0 start.
Their latest victory: a 19-10 win over the Chicago Bears in the first Sunday night primetime game for the Texans since a Dec. 2, 2019 win over the New England Patriots.
Recommended Videos
With the roof open at NRG Stadium and fireworks before kickoff, the Texans put on an impressive display offensively and defensively.
Here are five keys to the Texans’ win:
1. Texans wide receiver Nico Collins continues to be the go-to guy amongst an ultra-talented receiving corps. Collins has led through his steady play and dominant route-running and catch radius. The 6-foot-4, 215 former Michigan standout, signed to a three-year, $75 million contract extension this offseason, is justifying the Texans’ hefty investment. He caught eight passes for 135 yards with one touchdown on 10 targets.
2. Texans Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud set an NFL record for most passing yards by a quarterback in their first 10 home games, including the playoffs, surpassing Kansas City Chiefs MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Stroud was steady and smooth, completing 23 of 36 passes for 260 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions for a 92.8 passer rating against an opportunistic and aggressive Bears defense.
3. Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn showed again why he’s one of the highest paid kickers in the NFL. Fairbairn made all four of his field goals, including a 59-yarder and scored 13 points overall.
4. The Texans’ pass rush was a big factor against elusive Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. He was sacked seven times and hit 11 times overall. Although Williams escaped some of the sacks, he couldn’t get away from all of the Texans’ pass rushers. He was sacked 1 1/2 times by Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr. once by blitzing linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, 1 1/2 times by Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter, once by Mario Edwards Jr., once by Derek Barnett.
5. Texans rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter intercepted Williams in the second half for a key turnover. And veteran corner Derek Stingley Jr. intercepted Williams as he perfectly read and reacted to a Williams deep ball intended for wide receiver D.J. Moore.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
