The Bears ran away with a blowout Sunday for the first time in more than two years, slamming the Texans 36-7 to stay afloat in the playoff race. Here are three notes on the game:
Ho-hum game for Watson. In his first start against the team that chose Mitch Trubisky over him in the 2017 draft, Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson managed a decent performance despite having no help and getting sacked six times. He completed 21 of 30 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown, giving him a 101.9 passer rating.
Santos shines again. The pickup of free agent kicker Cairo Santos has been the Bears’ smartest move of the year. He hit a 32- and 39-yard field goal to make him 21 of 23 (90.9%). With a manageable remaining schedule — at the Vikings, at the Jaguars and home against the Packers — he has a chance to be the Bears’ first kicker to finish a season at 90% or better.
First timers. The Bears have now beaten every team in the NFL. They had been winless in four games against the Texans since they entered the league in 2002, losing by a combined score of 91-49.
