Spokesman-Review
National Football League
Chicago 23, Houston 20
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 25, 2022
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
Temperature: 66°
Head Official: Clete Blakeman
Attendance: 60592

Cairo Santos kicked a game-winning, 30-yard field goal as time expired, and Khalil Herbert rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns to boost the host Chicago Bears to a 23-20 victory against the Houston Texans on Sunday.

A Roquan Smith interception of Texans quarterback Davis Mills with 1:05 to play set Chicago up at the Houston 12-yard line. Smith had 16 tackles, including two for loss, to go with his interception.

Chicago (2-1) ran for 281 yards while limiting Houston to 92 on the ground. Mills was 20-for-32 passing for 245 yards and one touchdown, with two interceptions.

Ka'imi Fairbairn kicked a pair of field goals for the Texans (0-2-1), while Santos had three for the Bears.

While his mobility served him in the running game, where he gained 47 yards on eight carries, Bears quarterback Justin Fields struggled in the pocket, finishing 8-for-17 passing for 106 yards and two interceptions.

Fairbairn connected on a 39-yard field goal with 11:25 remaining in the third quarter to give the Texans a 17-13 lead. Chicago answered three minutes later, as Herbert scored from 1 yard out and put the Bears on top 20-17.

Houston tied the game at 20 in the final minute of the third with a 23-yard Fairbairn field goal.

Houston coach Lovie Smith, who guided the Bears from 2004-2012, remained winless against his former team in three tries. Smith was 81-63 in nine seasons in Chicago and led the Bears to a Super Bowl appearance following the 2006 season.

Bears running back David Montgomery exited the game midway through the first quarter with injuries to his right knee and leg. Montgomery was hurt during a pass play that resulted in offsetting penalties. Wide receiver Byron Pringle (calf) left the game in the first quarter, as well.

The Texans took a 14-13 lead into the locker room. The home crowd booed the Bears as they jogged off the field, unhappy about the decision to let the clock run out with all three timeouts remaining.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
Rushing
Houston   Chicago
Dameon Pierce Player Khalil Herbert
20 Attempts 20
80 Yards 157
4.0 Avg Yards 7.8
1 Touchdowns 2
24 Long 52
Receiving
Houston   Chicago
Chris Moore Player Cole Kmet
3 Receptions 2
63 Yards 40
21.0 Avg Yards 20.0
0 Touchdowns 0
52 Long 24
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
Houston 329 92 237 2 2 2 5.0 0
Chicago 363 281 82 2 3 2 1.0 3
Upcoming Games
  • Chicago will play their next game on the road against N.Y. Giants. The Bears have a W/L % of .500 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.
  • Houston will play their next game at home against L.A. Chargers. The Texans have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.