By: Jimmie Sykes

Fifth-year All-Pro Linebacker Roquan Smith came up big with an interception with 1:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. 

Early in the season, Smith declared that he is “betting on himself” as he enters the fifth year of his initial contract. His interception led to a walk-off Cairo Santos game-winning field goal. Chicago Bears (2-1) edged the Houston Texans (0-2-1) 23-20. Bears totaled 281 yards on the ground, a franchise-best since 1984. 

After David Montgomery went down in the first quarter, Khalil Herbert stepped in for his moment. He finished with 20 carries for 157 yards and two touchdowns. As Montgomery prepares for day-to-day recovery, more first-team reps can suit Herbert even more. 

Fans and spectators are looking for more out of Justin Fields. Seventeen passes during week three. It was six more than week two against Green Bay, and the same amount as the monsoon win against San Francisco. Fields finished with 106 yards and two interceptions in the win against Houston. He was asked about his thoughts about his performance.

“Just got to get better. Plain and simple. I think that’s it,” he said.

It is always nice to have a quarterback taking accountability for his play. At the same time, mistakes are a part of the game. Bears are in a place where mistakes should openly happen.

Run plays were called on third and 17, third and ten, and third and six for the Bears. There has not been a large sample size to analyze Fields in the new offensive regime yet. In such a small sample size, we should expect mistakes. Midseason should be the real weigh in on the direction of this team.

Tight end Cole Kmet caught his first two passes of the season for 40 yards. One of his catches set the Bears up for a 50-yard field goal from Cairo Santos. All four of Santos field goals are from 30 yards or better this season.  

Texans quarterback Davis Mills finished with 245 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He got his team involved in big plays throughout the game. The Texans' offense had five plays of 20 yards or better. Lovie Smith put forth gutsy play-calling to keep his team competing with a balanced offense. Rookie Dameon Pierce scored his first NFL touchdown in the contest. He finished with 20 carries for 80 yards along with the score.

Bears pass rush took some time to get after Mills. In the fourth quarter, Justin Jones recorded his fourth sack as a Chicago Bear. This defense has been stingy in the second-half this season with zero second half touchdowns allowed.

Eddie Jackson recorded the twelfth interception of his career nearing the end of the first quarter. The Bears are undefeated (12-0) in games that Jackson records an interception. He has emerged into a veteran role behind his young DB core consisting of Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Jaquan Brisker. 

With Jaylon Johnson out, Jackson backed up his stellar play so far throughout the season. He also recorded a forced fumble and did not allow one catch on the afternoon. 

Bears travel to MetLife Stadium to play the New York Giants on Oct 2. All in all, this offense needs to be better. QB1 is taking accountability for where he stands currently. Getting WR1 Darnell Mooney more involved remains primal focus. With 14 games remaining, there is still plenty of time to sample improvement.