Bears vs. Texans: Everything we know about Chicago's Week 2 loss

Last week, Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams had his "Welcome to the NFL" moment in which he and the offense never got rolling, almost embarrassing themselves through a game in which the defense saved. On Sunday night against the Houston Texans, Williams got his "Welcome to Chicago" moment, taking in a familiar story that recent first-round quarterbacks for the Bears has gone through: horrid offensive line play.

Even with a chance to win the game at the end of the fourth quarter, the Bears (1-1) dropped a close game to the Texans (2-0), which was closer on paper than on the field. During the first half, Williams and company looked much more improved, with a rhythm and consistency that was non-existent in Week 1. It was a rhythm flipped on its head in the second half which felt like the longest third quarter in recent history saw a stagnant offense re-appear and all momentum was halted.

Here is everything we learned from the Bears' loss to the Texans in Week 2:

Final score: Texans 19, Bears 13

Keys to the game

Offensive line continues to be terrible: This was the first key to the game last week, despite the team winning the game. Seven sacks allowed by this offensive line against an admittedly very good defensive line in Houston, but it almost came too easy. Every time the Texans blitzed, it was easy pickings for a negative play, whether it be a sack, forcing a turnover, or just stopping the drive. Ryan Poles was known for overhauling the offensive line in Kansas City as they started winning championships, but since coming to Chicago as general manager, there has not been the needed extreme makeover on this offensive line.

Ryan Bates was placed on injured reserve this week, so there's not an immediate solution on the roster. If there is a sense of urgency from Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus to get it right with this position group, they may want to look in free agency to bring in competition and find answers, because Williams and this offense will never succeed with this current line.

Caleb Williams trying to be the savior: Part of this is due to the offensive line, but part of it felt like Caleb Williams truly does believe in himself and his ability to make plays. In the first two weeks of his NFL career, Williams has been unable to throw a touchdown and against Houston he threw not one, but two, ill-advised passes that led to interceptions, the first two of his career. Getting sacked seven times is certainly going to create a sense of urgency for Williams, who had a chance to win the game at the end, but Houston's defense held strong.

Williams showed growth in his game, especially during the first half. But between the forced throws and the lack of protection, it felt as if one step forward was followed by five steps back. One positive thing to note was the skirmish in the third quarter in which Azeez Al-Shaair hit Williams, with a legal, yet brutal hit along the sidelines and the offensive line and skill position players rushed to his side. A fight broke out between the two teams which saw Al-Shaair land a punch on running back Roschon Johnson, who was not in the game, that punch was overlooked by the referees and no penalty was assessed. Unfortunately, Williams' teammates coming to his aide was one of the lone bright spots on display as it is apparent that each week will come with growing pains and groans as the offense has no identity.

No running game: It's hard to discuss any positives in a loss, so all the keys to the game will be negative, just as the run game was on the day. Caleb Williams was the team's leading rusher on the day (44 yards) while D'Andre Swift (18), Travis Homer (6), and Khalil Herbert (3 yards, 1 touchdown) combined for 27 total yards between them. It was a clear domino effect top to bottom. The offensive line got no push and created few to no opportunities for the run game, just as failed to do with Williams.

Poor use of coach's challenges: This will be short and sweet, Eberflus challenged two plays that were the complete obvious opposite of what he was hoping for. One happening right in front of him on the sideline and the other in which he appeared to be persuaded by cornerback Kyler Gordon. Eberflus has to stand his ground and those poor decisions not only led to failed challenges but they looked like horrible decisions from the start. Given the team's terrible offensive performance and the horrid decision to use those challenges made them a laughing stock in prime time.

It was over when...

...Danielle Hunter sacked Williams on second-and-10 on the final drive of the game. Despite another horrible offensive showing, Williams and the offense had a chance to win the game, getting the ball back for a final drive while down six points.

It started off with some hope, as Williams connected with Rome Odunze for a 27-yard gain, but a dropped pass from tight end Gerald Everett would immediately follow. The team still had momentum until Hunter picked up the Texans' seventh sack on the night. A false start penalty by tackle Braxton Jones happened right after the sack, pinning Williams deep once again and the eventual turnover on downs. The Bears had no business winning the game on paper, and in the end, they had no chance to win it even with their final opportunity.

4 stars of the game

*C.J. Stroud: The entire narrative of the Sunday night game was the upbringing of Stroud and Caleb Williams as they entered the NFL. Both players had their mothers in attendance for the game and unfortunately, only Stroud showed up in the spotlight. Throwing for 260 yards and a touchdown to wide receiver Nico Collins, who had over 100 yards receiving for the second straight week, Stroud continued the incredible start to his career. Although both Stroud and Williams were in the spotlight, only Stroud proved that he would not be bothered by the moment and can continue to win games for his football team.

**Kevin Byard III: A massive fumble recovery inside the Texans' red zone by Byard kept the Bears in it late in the game. Outside of the fumble recovery, the veteran safety tied for the most tackles in the game with 11, seven of which were solo, and one of which came for a loss. Byard and Jaquan Brisker are doing a great job in their respective safety positions, but it wasn't enough to carry a poor offensive performance for the second straight week.

***Tremaine Edmunds: After T.J. Edwards led the team with tackles in Week 1, Edmunds tied with Byard for the team-best 11 tackles on the night. Edmunds added a sack, tackle for loss, and a QB hit, and he was all over the field in this game. With Edmunds and Edwards leading the way for the linebackers, they're showing an incredibly great strength as the core of this defense. As the offense continues to try and find their success, Edmunds, Edwards, and the entire defense has shown through two weeks that they will be all over the field and make plays.

****Cairo Santos: Part of staying in the game is scoring points, somehow, some way. If there had to be an offensive MVP through the first two weeks, Cairo Santos should be the unanimous decision for the award. He is 5-5 for field goals this season, which includes three field goals made of 50-plus yards. It was mentioned on the broadcast how kickers are continuing to make lengthy field goals at ease, and Santos, known for his consistency, added to that in this game with another perfect outing, which included his season-long of 54 yards. Not many reasons to celebrate, but Santos putting points on the board gave the team a chance near the end.

What's next

The Bears' tour through the AFC South will continue on in Week 3. Another road game is on deck as Chicago will head to Indianapolis to face the 0-2 Colts led by second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. Indianapolis fell short to the Bears' NFC North rival, Green Bay Packers, who had Malik Willis at quarterback replacing the injured Jordan Love. The Colts will look to take advantage of the Bears' weak offensive line, but it certainly presents as a winnable game on paper.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Texans: Everything we know about Chicago's Week 2 loss