• Recap
• Bleachers

Grossman sharp as Bears edge Texans

Aug 12, 2007 - 3:11 AM By Ted Dunnam PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

HOUSTON (Ticker) - Don't blame quarterback Rex Grossman for the defending NFC champion Chicago Bears' punchless offense in a 20-19 victory over the Houston Texans Saturday night.

Grossman was perfect on the Bears' opening possession, completing all seven of his passes for 48 yards. Chicago held the ball for nine plays and more than six minutes before Robbie Gould missed a 52-yard field goal attempt.

Gould later atoned for the miss by kicked the winning 47-yard field goal with 36 seconds to play.

Grossman completed his first eight attempts for 50 yards before misfiring on his final two attempts.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, making his debut after being acquired from Atlanta in the offseason, completed 3-of-5 passes for 25 yards. His longest completion was 15 yards to Andre Johnson on the Texans' second drive that resulted in Kris Brown's 37-yard field goal.

Brown also kicked field goals of 42, 29 and 20 yards in the first half, giving Houston a 12-7 lead.

Texans backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels fired a six-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeb Putzier to help Houston open a 19-7 advantage in the third quarter.

Bears backup quarterback Brian Griese threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Obafemi Ayanbadejo in the second quarter for Chicago's first touchdown.

Third-string quarterback Kyle Orton hooked up with tight end Fontel Miles for a 4-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to pull Chicago within 19-14.

Griese completed 6-of-7 passes for 72 yards and one score. Running back Cedric Benson carried five times for 23 yards in two possessions.

Newly acquired running back Ahman Green had seven yards on three carries for Houston.

Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher did not dress for the game.