With the degree of difficulty enhanced, the Chicago Bears embarked on the second half of their season Sunday night against their most formidable opponent since a Week 2 loss at Green Bay.
The Houston Texans (7-1) entered Soldier Field with the best record in the AFC, matching the Bears’ NFC North-leading record. It was a rainy night with a cold front moving in, and turnovers dominated the first half. The hitting was fierce from the outset, with Bears rookie defensive end Shea McClellin being ruled out for the game early in the first quarter with a concussion.
Arian Foster made a diving catch of a 2-yard pass from Matt Schaub to give the Texans a 10-3 lead with 4:14 remaining in the first half.
Robbie Gould's 51-yard field goal pulled the Bears into a 3-3 tie with 12:52 to play in the second quarter. The score was set up when Tim Jennings intercepted his second pass of the night and returned it 10 yards to the Houston 38. The interception was Jennings' league-high eighth of the season. A deep third-down pass intended for Brandon Marshall into the end zone failed.
The Bears turned the ball over on their first play from scrimmage when Jay Cutler passed six yards to tight end Kellen Davis. A fumble was forced by former Bears safety Danieal Manning at the Bears' 43 and recovered by Tim Dobbins. When the Texans' drive stalled at the 2, Shayne Graham kicked a 20-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
The Bears also turned the ball over on their next possession when Michael Bush fumbled after an 11-yard run and Houston recovered at the Texans' 27. The fumble was forced by Glover Quin and recovered by Bradie James with 4:40 left in the first period.
The Bears got the ball back when Schaub's pass intended for Keshawn Martin was intercepted by Jennings at the Houston 45 with 2:24 left in the first quarter.
On second down, however, Cutler's deep pass intended for Davis was intercepted by Manning at the Houston 5.
The Bears entered with a six-game winning streak, their longest such stretch since they won seven in a row in 2006 en route to a Super Bowl appearance.
Similarities and matching strengths between the Bears and Texans went well beyond their identical records.
While the Bears had seven interceptions for touchdowns in their first eight games, the Texans had turned the ball over only six times (best in the NFL) behind Schaub, who came in with a 96.8 passer rating.
The Bears entered the game with the NFL lead in takeaways (28) and turnover differential (plus-16). Houston came in with the league’s third-ranked defense, limiting its opponents to 286.1 total yards per game. They had not allowed a rushing touchdown in 11 games, going back to 2011.
The last time the Texans faced the Bears in Soldier Field was Dec. 19, 2004. The Texans prevailed 24-5 in 12-degree temperatures, the second-coldest kickoff temperature in team history.
fmitchell@tribune.com
Twitter @kicker34
2nd quarter: Texans 10, Bears 3
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2nd quarter: Texans 10, Bears 3
