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Bears at Texans: 3 things we learned

By Russell S. Baxter

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) celebrate a sack during the second half against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) celebrate a sack during the second half against the Chicago Bears at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Texans rallied to beat the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Here are three takeaways from that contest.

The Houston Texans would love to become the first team in the history of the Super Bowl to play in the Big Game in their home stadium.

While 1-0 doesn’t secure a playoff berth, a 23-14 win over the Chicago Bears had to feel pretty good considering this was a club that opened 0-2 and then 2-5 before finally getting its act together on the way to winning the AFC South with a 9-7 record.

We also know that the Texans still have a pretty good defense even with J.J. Watt not at 100 percent. Houston blanked the Bears in the second half on Sunday and scored the final 13 points of the game.

What else did we learn from the win by Bill O’Brien’s club? Let’s take a look.

1. Brock Osweiler is a work in progress

One can only imagine the reaction in the stands at NRG Stadium when the franchise’s $72 million dollar investment/quarterback of 2016 was picked off on the team’s first offensive series of the game.

But when it was all said and done, the young signal-caller would hit on 22 of his 35 throws for 231 yards and a pair of scores – 23 yards to DeAndre Hopkins and a nice low scoop and run for 18 yards by rookie wideout Will Fuller.

It’s safe to say that Osweiler made his share of risky throws in the contest, but he managed to stay out of harm’s way following that early interception.

Bill O’Brien knows exactly what he has in this talented prospect – the head coach’s seventh different starter behind center dating back to his arrival in Houston in 2014. You get the sense that the former Super Bowl 50 champion (who started seven games for Denver last season) has some staying power.

2. Chicago’s offensive line remains an issue

While Houston defensive end J.J. Watt was ready to go for this opener (his 81st consecutive start), you got the sense that the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year just wasn’t his usual self. By game’s end, the league’s sack leader in 2015 totaled just one tackle.

But the Chicago Bears’ newest offensive line, featuring 2016 second-round pick Cody Whitehair at center, still had its issues protecting quarterback Jay Cutler on the afternoon. The veteran signal-caller was sacked five times, fumbled twice and was picked off once. Meanwhile, the team’s ground attack managed only 73 yards on 20 attempts in the 23-14 loss.

Things don’t get much easier next week against the Philadelphia Eagles formidable defensive line next Monday night.

3. Lamar Miller is going to be very busy in 2016

There’s been a lot of speculation regarding just how much the former Miami Dolphins running back would see the football with his new team. It’s safe to say that despite his impressive production the last two season, he was somewhat underutilized in South Florida.

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That certainly wasn’t the case on Sunday. While he didn’t score in the team’s victory, he totaled an impressive 32 touches from scrimmage. His 28 carries were good for 106 yards while he caught all four passes thrown his way, albeit for only 11 yards.

We won’t get into prorating his plays in 2016, but it’s safe to say he will make quite a run at obliterating his career high of 216 rushing attempts, set with the Dolphins in 2014.

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