DEFENSIVE LINE: A
Not as dominant as the opener against Will Levis and the Titans, but the line was effective across the board and kept the Bears in the game and forced C.J. Stroud to make plays out of the pocket to move the Texans’ offense. Montez Sweat had an early pass breakup but his supporting cast again made a bigger impact. Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter had a sack, with defensive end DeMarcus Walker. Andrew Billings forced a fumble that kept hope alive. Billings was solid again, as the Bears held the Texans to 75 rushing yards on 22 carries (3.4 average). Running back Joe Mixon, who rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown against the Colts last week, missed most of the second half with an ankle injury, but was held to 25 yards on nine carries while he was in there.
OFFENSIVE LINE: F
Just not very good. Right tackle Darnell Wright coming to the defense of Williams after what the Bears thought was a late hit on their quarterback was the highlight. From the Bears’ first rush attempt — when center Coleman Shelton was beaten by defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi and DeAndre Swift lost four yards — the Bears struggled to establish a run game. They finished with 71 yards on 22 carries. Williams was not given a clean pocket very often. And he’s already taking a beating — including seven sacks in a one-score game.
QUARTERBACK: C
Caleb Williams (23 of 37, 174 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions, seven sacks, 51.0 rating) was more accurate in his second NFL start, but he was unable to overcome a subpar offensive line and protection scheme that forced him to make too many plays on the run. Williams inability to make big plays off schedule was never more evident than when he escaped a sack and wheeled into open territory in the flat for time to make a downfield play. But his pass for tight end Cole Kmet was intercepted.
SHANE WALDRON: D
This offense has to improve just to reach the dreaded “work in progress” stage. The Bears gained 205 yards on 66 plays (3.1 average). Their longest designed play was 19 yards until a 27-yard pass to Rome Odunze in desperation. And Waldron’s offense wasn’t fooling anybody.
LINEBACKERS: B
Jack Sanborn had a clutch pass deflection in the first quarter and a sack in the fourth quarter. Tremaine Edmunds had a sack and 11 tackles. T.J. Edwards added eight tackles.