Introduction to Chicago Bears vs Houston Texans Match Player Stats
The recent matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Houston Texans delivered an intense and competitive game that showcased standout performances from players on both sides. Played at Soldier Field in Chicago, this Week 7 clash brought together two teams with contrasting styles—one trying to climb out of a losing streak, the other building momentum under new leadership.
The Bears, led by quarterback Justin Fields, were looking to regain their rhythm after inconsistent performances early in the season. Meanwhile, the Texans, under rookie QB C.J. Stroud, came into the game riding high after a few strong outings that proved they were no longer pushovers in the league.
This article provides a detailed breakdown of the player stats from this key NFL matchup, highlighting top performers from both teams across offense, defense, and special teams. We’ll also analyze how these stats influenced the final outcome and what they mean for each team’s trajectory going forward.
Table of Contents
Key Players and Their Performances
Quarterbacks: Justin Fields vs C.J. Stroud
Both quarterbacks showed flashes of brilliance, but only one walked away with a win. Let’s take a look at their stats:
| Player | Team | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | QBR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Fields | Bears | 18/29 | 243 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 65.4 |
| C.J. Stroud | Texans | 26/39 | 302 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 72.1 |
Justin Fields managed the game well, avoiding turnovers and making several big plays with his legs. However, the lack of explosive completions limited the Bears’ offensive output. On the other hand, C.J. Stroud continued his impressive development, spreading the ball around and leading a late-game drive that sealed the victory for Houston.
Running Backs: Ground Game Breakdown
The running games played a crucial role in controlling the clock and setting up passing opportunities. Here’s how the top RBs performed:
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | TD | Long Run | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khalil Herbert | Bears | 16 | 78 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| D’Onta Foreman | Bears | 8 | 32 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Dameon Pierce | Texans | 19 | 89 | 1 | 19 | 0 |
| Devin Singletary | Texans | 12 | 47 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
Khalil Herbert was the most effective back for the Bears, showing good vision and burst in short-yardage situations. The Bears averaged 4.9 yards per carry as a unit but struggled to find the end zone. For the Texans, Dameon Pierce led the way with a touchdown and consistently moved the chains, helping Houston control the tempo in the second half.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends: Receiving Battle
The aerial attack was highlighted by some key contributors on both sides:
| Player | Team | Recs | Yards | TD | Long Reception | Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keenan Allen | Bears | 6 | 72 | 0 | 21 | 1 |
| Chase Claypool | Bears | 5 | 63 | 1 | 22 | 0 |
| Darnell Wright | Bears | 3 | 47 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| Brandin Cooks | Texans | 8 | 102 | 1 | 28 | 0 |
| Stefon Diggs (Inj) | Texans | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Dalton Schultz | Texans | 5 | 45 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
Keenan Allen was targeted early and often, serving as Fields’ go-to option. Chase Claypool provided a scoring spark with a well-timed touchdown reception. On the Texans side, Brandin Cooks was the star, hauling in over 100 yards and a touchdown. Stefon Diggs, who recently returned from injury, had a quiet game but made a presence felt on a few key drives.
Defensive Standouts
Linebackers and Front Seven Impact
Both defenses came into the game aiming to disrupt the opposing quarterback and stop the run. Here are the top defensive performers:
| Player | Team | Tackles | Sacks | TFL | QB Hits | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roquan Smith | Bears | 10 | 1.0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Akiem Hicks | Bears | 6 | 0.5 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| DeMarvin LeRoy | Bears | 7 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Will Anderson Jr. | Texans | 9 | 1.5 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Azeez Al-Shaair | Texans | 11 | 0.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Jerry Hughes | Texans | 5 | 1.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Roquan Smith was all over the field for the Bears, racking up double-digit tackles and applying consistent pressure. Will Anderson Jr., the Texans’ rookie sensation, continued his dominant season with multiple sacks and tackles for loss.
Secondary Highlights
The secondary units were tested throughout the game, especially in coverage against mobile quarterbacks and quick receivers:
| Player | Team | Tackles | INT | PD | FF | Solo Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaylon Johnson | Bears | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Eddie Jackson | Bears | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Derek Stingley Jr. | Texans | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Jimmie Ward | Texans | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
Derek Stingley Jr. stood out for the Texans, picking off a pass and breaking up several others. His coverage skills helped limit the Bears’ downfield attack. Jaylon Johnson remained solid in coverage but couldn’t create any turnovers.
Special Teams Contributions
Special teams played a pivotal role in field position battles:
| Player | Team | Punts | Avg. | Long | Kickoffs | Touchbacks | FG Made/Att |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trent Gilligan | Bears | 6 | 44.1 | 53 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Cairo Santos | Bears | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5 | 3 | 2/2 |
| Cameron Johnston | Texans | 5 | 48.3 | 57 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Ka’imi Fairbairns | Texans | N/A | N/A | N/A | 6 | 5 | 2/2 |
Cairo Santos and Ka’imi Fairbairns were perfect on field goals and consistently placed kickoffs deep, limiting return yardage. Cameron Johnston gave the Texans excellent starting field position with a long punt of 57 yards.
Final Score and Game Summary
The Houston Texans defeated the Chicago Bears 23-20 in a tightly contested game that came down to the wire. After a slow start, the Texans found their rhythm in the second half, thanks to a balanced offensive approach and a resilient defense that stepped up when it mattered most.
Despite a valiant effort from Justin Fields and the Bears’ offense, missed opportunities in the red zone and a lack of consistency in the passing game ultimately cost them the win. The Texans, now sitting at 4-3, continue to impress as one of the surprise stories of the 2024 season.
Conclusion: What’s Next for Both Teams?
The Bears (2-5) remain in search of offensive identity and consistency, particularly in the passing game. While Justin Fields continues to show promise with his mobility and decision-making, the lack of a reliable No. 1 receiver remains a concern.
For the Texans, the future looks bright. C.J. Stroud is developing into a franchise quarterback, and the defense—led by young stars like Will Anderson Jr.—is becoming one of the more formidable units in the AFC South.
As both teams head into the second half of the season, the performances seen in this matchup will serve as valuable lessons and confidence builders for the challenges ahead.
