HOUSTON — The Chicago Bears offense and quarterback Caleb Williams came up short on a national stage Sunday night at NRG Stadium in a 19-13 Houston Texans victory. Unlike Week 1, when the Bears defense and special teams scored touchdowns, the offense needed to carry the load — and didn’t come through. In a sloppy game that included 21 penalties between the teams, the Bears got in the end zone just once — their only offensive touchdown of the first two weeks. The Bears had the ball and a chance to win with 1 minute, 37 seconds to play. Williams hit Rome Odunze with a 27-yard pass to get to the Bears 47-yard line. But Williams threw incomplete, was sacked for a loss of 8 yards, rushed for 1 yard and threw incomplete again on fourth down. Williams completed 23 of 37 passes for 174 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions and was sacked seven times. The Bears totaled 71 rushing yards, with Khalil Herbert scoring the only touchdown on a 2-yard run shortly before halftime. The Bears had a chance to pull within a field goal late in the fourth quarter. Defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. was called for roughing the passer to give the Bears first down at the Texans 42-yard line. But Williams was sacked, Travis Homer ran for 6 yards and Williams threw incomplete on third down. The Bears settled for Cairo Santos’ 54-yard field goal to cut it to 19-13. The defense got a stop on the Texans’ next drive. But the offense couldn’t come through on the final drive. Williams committed his first turnover of the season late in the third quarter when cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. intercepted a pas intended for DJ Moore. The Texans capitalized with Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 53-yard field goal. Fairbairn made four field goals, including three from more than 50 yards. Week 2 photos: Chicago Bears at Houston Texans Williams threw another interception early in the fourth quarter when he was trying to escape a sack attempt by Danielle Hunter, who tore Williams’ jersey. Williams threw a pass into heavy traffic, and Kamari Lassiter picked it off. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud completed 23 of 36 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown. After a big showing in Week 1, the Bears didn’t nab a takeaway until defensive tackle Andrew Billings forced Cam Akers to fumble and safety Kevin Byard recovered at the Bears 3-yard line with 6:38 to play. That takeaway led to Santos’ final field goal. Bears nickel Kyler Gordon nearly had an interception late in the third quarter, but the ball hit the ground. Coach Matt Eberflus challenged that it was in fact an interception, but the call on the field of an incomplete pass stood. It was the Bears’ second unsuccessful challenge of the game. Texans running back Joe Mixon left in the third quarter with an ankle injury but returned early in the fourth. Sign up for our free Bears Insider newsletter Bears 2024 schedule: Game-by-game breakdown and predictions Here’s how the game unfolded. Inactives: Keenan Allen out, Rome Odunze in Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent warms up before a game against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) One injured Bears wide receiver is in Sunday against the Texans and one is out. Veteran Keenan Allen is inactive as he deals with an ongoing heel injury that has limited him since training camp. Allen didn’t practice all week after trying to play through the injury in the season opener Sept. 8. But rookie Rome Odunze will be active after spraining the MCL in his right knee in the opener. He returned to practice in a limited capacity Friday and said doctors told him he wasn’t risking more damage by playing. The Bears also will have DJ Moore, DeAndre Carter, Tyler Scott and Collin Johnson as active wide receivers. Running back/wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. is a healthy scratch after fumbling a kickoff return in the opener. The Bears previously declared out fullback Khari Blasingame, who has knee and hand injuries. Linebacker Noah Sewell, defensive end Dominique Robinson and offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie are inactive. The Bears placed guard/center Ryan Bates on injured reserve Saturday with shoulder and elbow injuries. He will miss at least four weeks. Defensive end DeMarcus Walker, who was questionable with a foot injury, will play Sunday night. For the Texans, wide receiver John Metchie III, safety M.J. Stewart, running back Dameon Pierce, linebackers Jamal Hill and Rashad Weaver and center/guard Juice Scruggs are inactive. Halftime: Bears offense finally finds end zone Bears running back Khalil Herbert dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Running back Khalil Herbert scored on a 2-yard run in the final minute of the second quarter to give the Bears their first offensive touchdown of the season Sunday night against the Texans. The Texans, however, followed with a final-minute drive for Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 59-yard field goal to take a 16-10 lead into halftime. Fairbairn made field goals of 56, 47 and 59 yards in the half. On their final drive of the second quarter, the Bears took over at the Texans 49-yard line thanks to a 54-yard punt from Tory Taylor and a defensive stop, finished by Tremaine Edmunds’ sack of Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. The Bears had three third-down conversions on the touchdown drive. On third-and-3, quarterback Caleb Williams hit DJ Moore with a 16-yard pass to get to the Texans 26. The Bears faced third-and-14 later in the drive, and DeAndre Carter drew a 24-yard pass-interference penalty against Texans safety Calen Bullock. That brought the Bears to the 6-yard line. After a Marcedes Lewis false start, Williams ran for 9 yards. His high pass to Rome Odunze from the 2 went through Odunze’s hands. But Herbert ran it in on third down for the touchdown. After passing for just 93 yards in his NFL debut in Week 1, Williams completed 12 of 15 passes for 91 yards in the first half. The Bears ran for just 18 yards, averaging 1.6 per carry. Williams was sacked twice for a loss of 18 yards. Stroud completed 14 of 19 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. After Fairbairn’s 56-yarder on the opening drive, Bears kicker Cairo Santos tied it at 3-3 with a 53-yard field goal that bounced off a camera on the end of the crossbar and through. The Bears had made it to the Texans 24-yard line. Williams completed his first five passes, including a 14-yarder to Carter on third-and-12 and a 19-yarder to Moore on third-and-2. But D’Andre Swift was stopped for a loss of 1 yard on second down. Defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. then sacked Williams for a loss of 10. Stroud’s 28-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins gave the Texans a 10-3 lead to open the second quarter. After the previous play, Collins committed an unnecessary roughness penalty when he shoved cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who had pointed a finger at Collins. That gave the Texans second-and-24, but Collins quickly made up for it with the score. The Texans extended their lead to 13-3 on Fairbairn’s 47-yard field goal. Catch up on the rest of our coverage. 5 things to watch — plus our Week 2 predictions Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson gets the crowd going Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Football remains an 11-on-11 battle. But it feels like a pretty intriguing 3-on-3 clash will unfold between the Texans’ top three receivers — Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell — and the Bears’ top three cornerbacks — Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon. Stevenson was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week thanks to his 43-yard game-winning interception return for a touchdown in Week 1. But Johnson had a more impressive game, collecting an interception of his own while also recording two passes defensed and two tackles for a loss and playing a big role in limiting the Titans receiving trio of Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd to a combined 76 receiving yards on seven catches. Read more here. WR Rome Odunze called ‘day to day’ — and Bears feel ‘very lucky’ rookie’s knee injury wasn’t worse ‘On to the next week. That’s what drives us.’ Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron speaks with the media in the PNC Center at Halas Hall on June 12, 2024. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) In many ways, when coach Matt Eberflus picked Waldron to replace Luke Getsy last winter, he staked the development of QB Caleb Williams – if not his own coaching future – on Waldron and his ability to orchestrate an offense to suit the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner. It’s at once a pressurized situation and a potential dream opportunity for a coach. And one in which the noise is ramping up. Read more here. Column: Why the Bears hope C.J. Stroud’s rookie QB season is a good talking point for Caleb Williams Column: The Bears were just off at most everything on offense in the opener. Most notably? They showed no identity. Next test for Bears rookie QB Bears quarterback Caleb Williams warms up on the sideline in the first quarter against the Titans at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Coming off a clunky performance in his NFL debut, Caleb Williams at least had football’s greatest pain reliever at his disposal: a victory. Despite totaling only 148 yards of offense and failing to score an offensive touchdown, the Bears somehow left Soldier Field with a win and welcomed the good vibes that came with it. Next up is Sunday’s prime-time clash with the Texans, a test the Bears likely won’t pass if they don’t show marked offensive improvement. Williams will have to be sharper to enliven a passing attack that averaged a meager 2.1 yards per play in Week 1. Read more here. True or false: Caleb Williams’ 1st start for the Bears was worth throwing away Bears QB Caleb Williams says ‘I will be better’ after defense and special teams carry him to debut win Tracking Caleb Williams: How the Bears QB is performing in his rookie season About Week 1 … Bears quarterback Caleb Williams celebrates while coming off the field after a victory over the Titans at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus works the sideline in the first quarter of a game against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, 29, celebrates scoring the winning touchdown on an interception return against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams celebrates his first career win on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles celebrates the win with players on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) leaps over Tennessee Titans safety Quandre Diggs (28) in the fourth quarter of a game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)The big screen shows images of Chicago Bears great Steve McMichael as players head to the locker room at halftime of a game against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker (95) celebrates the win on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (1) celebrates the win with general manager Ryan Poles on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams meets Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis after the win on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. (99) celebrates a sack in the third quarter on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Bears tight end Cole Kmet celebrates the Week 1 win on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker, 9, tackles Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis, 8, in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) can’t catch a long pass in the end zone against Tennessee Titans cornerback Roger McCreary (21) in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) celebrates his two-point conversion in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears fans celebrate as the team scores a touchdown on a blocked punt in the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams prepares on the sideline in the first quarter of a game against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos, 8, celebrates a field goal in the fourth quarter on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) is shaken up after attempting to catch a pass in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze, 15, grabs a batted pass over Tennessee Titans linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., 56, in the second quarter on Sunday at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams looks to pass in the fourth quarter against the Titans on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field.(Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Bears quarterback Caleb Williams runs the offense in the third quarter against the Titans on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren, left, stands on the sideline late in the second quarter of a game between the Bears and the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) pitches the ball in the third quarter on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson scores on an interception return against the Titans in the fourth quarter on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field.(Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos, 8, celebrates with his teammates after kicking a field goal in the fourth quarter of a game against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, 36, scores a touchdown after a blocked punt in the third quarter on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears fans cheer late in the fourth quarter of a game against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Bears quarterback Caleb Williams celebrates after completing a pass for a 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears punter Tory Taylor (19) punts away the ball in the third quarter of a game against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards, 53, throws the ball in the air after recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter of a game against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis, 8, is pulled to the ground by Chicago Bears defensive end Darrell Taylor, 52, in the fourth quarter of a game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. Levis fumbled on the play. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Titans punter Ryan Stonehouse has his punt blocked by Bears defensive end Daniel Hardy in the third quarter of at Soldier Field. Bears safety Jonathan Owens returned the ball for the touchdown. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Bears safety Jonathan Owens returns a blocked punt for a touchdown in the third quarter at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. (99) celebrates after sacking Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) in the third quarter of a game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams celebrates while coming off the field after a victory over the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Bears quarterback Caleb Williams reacts after an incomplete pass in the third quarter against the Titans on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown off of a blocked punt in the third quarter of a game against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (29) scores the winning touchdown on an interception return against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Titans 24-17. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws a left handed pass while warming up for the season opener against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears fans get autographs before their team faces the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Jeremy Schmidt shows off his Bear Down fingernails while tailgating before the Chicago Bears face the Tennessee Titans in the season opener on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Mark Velez runs the grill while tailgating with other Chicago Bears fans before the face the Tennessee Titans in the season opener on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams warms up to face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, 18, warms up to face the Tennessee Titans with his fingernails painted on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears guard Teven Jenkins warms up to face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Cindy Laccino and her nephew Steven Fisher tailgate with other family members before the Chicago Bears face the Tennessee Titans in the season opener on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker signs autograph for fans before the game Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Javie Lents celebrates his 11th birthday throwing a football outside before the Chicago Bears face the Tennessee Titans in the season opener on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson warms up to face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, 18, warms up for the season opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, 18, wears a bracelet while warming up to face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Bears quarterback Caleb Williams warms up to face the Titans on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears and Tennessee Titans fans tailgate in the Waldron Deck before the season opener on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears fans get autographs before their team faces the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, 18, walks out onto the field for warm ups before the season opener against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Friends Jaye Beasley, Bruce Davis and Ed Fairchild tailgate together before the Chicago Bears face the Tennessee Titans in the season opener on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)aChicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, 18, warms up for the season opener against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears fan Michael DiBartolomeo tailgates in his full game face before his team plays against the Tennessee Titans in the season opener on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat grabs a pen before signing a few autographs before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Fans watch as Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams warms up for the season opener against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, 18, screams as he finishes up his warm up for the season opener against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)The Bears' Velus Jones Jr. fumbles a kickoff return that the Titans recovered in the first quarter Sunday at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus watches as quarterback Caleb Williams, 18, warms up to face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus looks on as his players warm up for their season opener against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) passes Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is announced with the starting lineup before the season opener against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, 69, sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, 18, in the first quarter of a game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Show Caption1 of 68Bears quarterback Caleb Williams celebrates while coming off the field after a victory over the Titans at Soldier Field on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)Expand The much-hyped debut of No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams will be remembered more for a defensive surge in the second half, a big pick-me-up from special teams and mistakes the rookie quarterback avoided as the Bears rallied from a 17-point deficit to win their opener for the first time since 2020 in Detroit. The difference was that young Titans quarterback Will Levis, a second-round draft pick in 2023, made catastrophic mistakes in the second half. The Bears forced him into some of those miscues and then pounced, as the defense picked up an offense whose effort would not be good enough to beat many teams. Read Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts. Column: How the Bears used a combination of poise and belief to spark their Week 1 comeback NFC North Week 1: Lions win in overtime, Vikings win big and Love lost for the Packers