Texans lead Bears 10-6 through 3 quarters
Arian Foster made a diving catch in the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown, lifting the Houston Texans to a 10-6 lead after three quarters against the Chicago Bears on a rainy Sunday night at Soldier Field.
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler did not return in the second half after suffering a concussion. Cutler took a big from Tim Dobbins in second quarter. Dobbins was whistled for a personal foul on the hit, but Cutler, who was slow getting up, stayed in the game until being ruled out at halftime.
Jason Campbell, who replaced Cutler at quarterback, connected with Brandon Marshall at the Houston 10 for a 45-yard reception after two stalled drives in the third quarter. The Bears had to settle for a 24-yard field goal by Robbie Gould to cut the Texans' lead to 10-6.
The Bears' defense forced two three-and-outs for Houston in the third quarter and controlled field position.
Houston forced four turnovers in the game, and Chicago cornerback Tim Jennings picked off two of Matt Schaub's passes in the wet conditions.
With the teams tied at 3 midway through the second quarter, Justin Forsett broke a 25-yard run to the Chicago 3 to set up the only touchdown of the half.
Foster had 94 yards on 22 carries after three quarters, and Schaub was 11 of 21 for 79 yards.
Chicago was threatening late in second quarter, but Cutler's pass to Marshall was intercepted by Kareem Jackson at the Houston 28. It was Cutler's second interception of the game.
Cutler had a dismal first half, completing 7 of 14 passes for 40 yards. The Texans held Chicago to 99 yards of total offense.
After the Texans went three-and-out on the opening possession, they got the ball back when former Bears defensive back Danieal Manning jarred the ball loose from tight end Kellen Davis. Dobbins returned the fumble 32 yards, but an unsportsmanlike penalty pushed the ball back to the Chicago 43.
Shayne Graham capped a 41-yard drive with a 20-yard field goal.
The Texans forced another turnover when Michael Bush fumbled after an 11-yard run to the Houston 27. Glover Quin forced the fumble and Bradie James recovered.
Chicago, which leads the league in takeaways and turnover differential, got the ball right back on Jennings' interception at the Houston 45.
Manning also intercepted Cutler's pass at the Texans 10 to stop another Bears drive.
Early in the second quarter, Jennings picked off Schaub at the Houston 48 and returned it 10 yards to set up a 51-yard field goal by Gould. The Bears had a chance to take the lead, but Brandon Marshall dropped Cutler's pass in the end zone.
It was Jennings' league-leading eighth interception
Chicago lost rookie defensive end Shea McClellin to a concussion in the first quarter.
Both teams are 7-1 and in first place, with the Bears leading the NFC North and the Texans atop the AFC South. The lone loss for both teams came against the Packers.
The Bears and Texans each feature strong defenses. The Texans have not allowed a touchdown rushing and J.J. Watt leads the NFL in sacks. The Bears have allowed only one TD rushing and Charles Tillman forced four fumbles in a 51-20 blowout against Tennessee last week.
Tillman's status had been up in the air after he told Chicago radio station WSCR-AM that he might not be available because his wife, Jackie, is due to give birth. But he played.
The Texans played without tight end Owen Daniels because of a back injury. Daniels, Houston's second-leading receiver, was limited in practice on Friday after sitting out the previous two days.
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