CHICAGO -- The long-term futures of many around Halas Hall remain in question for a team that lost six straight games in 2020. But for an afternoon at Soldier Field, against the depleted Houston Texans, all was right with the Chicago Bears.
The Bears offense matched their season high of 30 points by halftime and the Bears cruised to a 36-7 victory. Their easiest win of the season brought an end to the franchise’s longest losing streak since 2002.
Against a depleted Texans offense that was missing wide receiver Brandin Cooks and running back David Johnson, the Bears defense bounced back from two straight poor performances to handle Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
The Bears had six sacks, including Khalil Mack’s in the end zone in the second quarter for a safety.
Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky, faced earlier in the week with another round of stories about how the Bears chose to draft him above Watson and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2017, threw three first-half touchdown passes. The Bears’ other first-half touchdown came on their first offensive play of the game, an 80-yard touchdown run by David Montgomery.
And Bears kicker Cairo Santos hit field goals from 39 and 32 yards to extend his streak to 18 straight made field goals. That’s the longest streak since Robbie Gould made 24 straight in 2006.
The Bears also had two takeaways. Mack forced running back Duke Johnson to fumble in the first half and recovered it. And Sherrick McManis forced punt returner Keke Coutee to fumble, and Josh Woods recovered it in the fourth quarter.
Trubisky completed 24 of 33 passes for 267 yards, three touchdowns and no turnovers. He had four carries for 23 yards.
Watson completed 21 of 30 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He also rushed for 38 yards on seven carries.
