Bears running back David Montgomery opened the game Sunday with an 80-yard touchdown run to put them up 7-0 on the Texans.
It was the Bears’ longest play of the season and longest run since Neal Anderson in 1988. It was also more yards than Montgomery had gained in all but three games this season.
The Bears went into their game Sunday ranked 31st in the NFL in yards rushing per game (86.9) and 22nd in yards per carry (4.0).
Montgomery had 647 yards and three touchdowns on 159 carries before Sunday.
While they haven’t had quite that level of success, the Bears’ ground game has looked better since reconfiguring the offensive line with Sam Mustipher at center, Cody Whitehair moving to left guard and Germain Ifedi shifting from right guard to right tackle.
The Bears began the day in ninth place in the NFC at 5-7, but just one game behind the Vikings and Cardinals for the final wild-card spot. If they beat the Texans on Sunday, they have another crucial game next week at the Vikings.
