Sport

Stormy Showdown: Bears Triumph Over Texans in Shortened Hall of Fame Game

- by qbruc

Not even the NFL can defeat Mother Nature.

The NFL ended its 2024 Hall of Fame game early due to severe thunderstorms hitting the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The Bears won 21-17 after play was suspended with 3:31 left in third quarter.

Most starters did not play in the NFL’s preseason opener, but a few backups had standout games.

The Texans got off to a strong start, posting a 10-0 lead behind Davis Mills. The fourth-year quarterback was 10-13 with 102 yards and a touchdown before Case Keenum took over.

On the other end, Brett Rypien was masterful in his time under center. He replaced Tyson Bagent in the second quarter. Rypien was 11-15 with 166 yards and three touchdowns. The quarterback has thrown four regular season touchdowns since debuting in 2020.

MORE: Everything you need to know about NFL’s new kickoff rules

Rypien led a Bears comeback, scoring 14 unanswered points before thunderstorms forced the teams off the field. While he won’t get the starting nod, he’s begun a battle for the backup position in Chicago.

Collin Johnson, a 6-6 wide receiver, is another name to keep an eye on moving forward. He finished the game with three receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns.

Thursday’s preseason game was just a preliminary event for Saturday’s enshrinement. Devin Hester, Steve McMichael, Julius Peppers and Andre Johnson are among the 2024 class, hence why the NFL selected the Bears and Texans to play in the Hall of Fame game.

MORE NFL HALL OF FAME 2024:
Full class | Johnson WR stats | Best Hester highlights | McMichael ALS fight | Peppers basketball career

Texans vs. Bears score

Team 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q Final
Texans 7 10 0 — 17
Bears 0 14 7 — 21

WATCH: NFL preseason football live on Fubo (free trial)

Texans vs. Bears live updates, highlights from NFL’s 2024 Hall of Fame Game

(All times Eastern).

Final: Bears 21, Texans 17

10:53 p.m.: The NFL has cancelled the remainder of the Hall of Fame game due to the ongoing weather. Bears win 21-17.

10:47 p.m.: NFL Hall of Fame game is still delayed as Canton, Ohio is still experiencing rain.

10:21 p.m.: Fans in the stadium were told to seek shelter as thunderstorms are hitting Canton, Ohio.

10:19 p.m.: Texans vs. Bears is delayed at 3:31 left in the third quarter. It’s unclear whether play will resume tonight.

10:16 p.m.: Texans miss the 58-yard field goal, score remains at 21-17.

10:15 p.m.: Rain is coming down, which could be a factor in Boyle’s struggles right now. Lightning is in the area. Game is still continuing at the moment.

10:12 p.m.: Dropped punt! Texans recover the fumble on the punt return. The offense couldn’t move the chains, but the special teams gets the offense in Chicago territory.

10:10 p.m.: Back to back penalties on the offense, Texans face a 2nd and 20 with 6:14 left in the third.

10:08 p.m.: Big gain for the Texans as Boyle connects with Sims for 20 yards with just over six minutes left in the third.

10:03 p.m.: Bears just miss the first down and opt to punt on 4th and 1 from their own 31.

10:02 p.m.: Two straight running plays to start the Bears’ drive, but a false start sets them back to 3rd and 10.

9:57 p.m.: Tough set of downs for the Texans. A sack fumble sets the team back, leading to a three and out.

Bears 21, Texans 17

9:50 p.m.: Touchdown! Rypien finds Collin Johnson for the nine-yard touchdown pass. Bears take the 21-17 lead with 11:39 remaining in the third quarter.

 

9:45 p.m.: The call is reversed. Bears convert on third down on the next play.

9:41 p.m.: Collin Johnson again! He catches yet another jump ball, this one for 21 yards. Texans are challenging the completion.

 

9:40 p.m.: Rypien completes a 20-yard pass to Bates, getting the Bears into Houston territory.

Halftime: Texans 17, Bears 14

9:24 p.m.: Texans run one play but allow the clock to expire, ending the half.

Texans 17, Bears 14

9:20 p.m.: Touchdown! Rypien completes an excellent drive that took less than a minute of work. Sweeney grabs a 22-yard touchdown with 46 seconds left in the half. Texans still lead 17-14.

 

9:18 p.m.: What a catch by Collin Johnson! He gets up high to make the catch on a fade route, pushing the Bears past midfield with about a minute remaining in the half.

 

Texans 17, Bears 7

9:15 p.m.: Touchdown! Keenam connects with Akers for a four-yard touchdown. Texans lead 17-7 with 1:44 remaining in the half.

 

9:14 p.m.: Keenam passes to Hutchinson for 20 yards, setting up a 1st and goal on the nine.

9:10 p.m.: Akers makes a defender miss with a slick spin move, salvaging a poor snap. Two-minute warning hits as Texans reach Chicago’s 29 yard line.

 

9:09 p.m.: Keenam finds Hutchinson across midfield for 18 yards. Less than three minutes remain in the half.

9:04 p.m.: Offense seemingly disappeared after a strong start to the game. Bears just had their own three and out in the second quarter. Just 5:33 left until halftime.

8:59 p.m.: Quick three and out for the Texans.

8:57 p.m.: Case Keenum is in for Mills at quarterback. Cam Akers is in the backfield.

8:56 p.m.: Los of kickoffs thus far, giving NFL fans a chance to see the new rules in action. The Bears used a placeholder for the latest kickoff, having him sprinting off the field immediately after since he was an extra player.

Texans 10, Bears 7

8:53 p.m.: Touchdown! Collin Johnson catches a 20-yard touchdown pass from Rypien. Bears get on the board, trailing 10-7 with 8:22 left in the first half.

 

8:52 p.m.: Bears offense is moving the chains, albeit with a fumble scare at mid-field.

8:49 p.m.: Rypien is in the game for Bagent at quarterback. He completed a 16-yard pass that Sweeney fumbled after the catch. Bears recovered the ball, earning a first down in the process.

Texans 10, Bears 0

8:43 p.m.: Texans can’t convert on third down, so the field goal unit is on the field. Texans get an easy three points to make it a two-score game.

8:42 p.m.: Mills found Ogunbowale for a 16-yard pass, converting on third down to start the second quarter.

End of 1Q: Texans 7, Bears 0

8:38 p.m.: Mills has looked great thus far in the first quarter. He’s 8-11 for 83 yards and one touchdown to give the Texans the 7-0 advantage after one quarter.

8:36 p.m.: Mills throws a 27-yard pass to Skowronek, getting the Texans offense moving up the field.

 

8:34 p.m.: Taylor rushes for 10 yards converting on 3rd and 1.

8:30 p.m.: Bears commit a false start on 4th and 1, which prompts the team to punt. First drive is over for Chicago.

8:29 p.m.: Texans stuff Johnson at the line of scrimmage, failing to convert on 3rd and 1.

8:25 p.m.: Roschon Johnson runs for nine yards to start the Bears drive.

Texans 7, Bears 0

8:20 p.m.: Touchdown! Mills connects with Quitoriano for a nine-yard score. Drive took 6:21 and lasted 13 plays. Texans lead 7-0.

8:19 p.m.: A holding penalty gifts the Texans a first down, though Houston likely would’ve scored a touchdown if the Bears didn’t commit the penalty.

8:18 p.m.: Mills gets tackled in the backfield as he attempted to run on 2nd and 2. He loses two yards in the process.

8:16 p.m.: Ogunbowale just barely misses the first down, but he runs for the first on 4th and 1 the next snap.

8:14 p.m.: Mills completes a 12-yard pass to Quitoriano to get past the 50 yard line. Texans offense is moving.

8:11 p.m.: First look at the new kickoff rule as the Texans begin the first drive of the game.

 

Pregame

8:01 p.m.: The broadcast is beginning with the introductions of the NFL 2024 Hall of Fame class.

8 p.m.: The NFL is back! Although the starters aren’t playing, tonight marks the beginning of another football season.

7:37 p.m.: Davis Mills and Tyson Bagent will start at quarterback for the Texans and Bears, respectively.

7:26 p.m.: Football is almost a half hour away. Broadcast starts at 8 p.m. ET with kickoff taking place shortly afterward.

Texans vs. Bears start time

  • Date: Thursday, Aug. 1
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET

NFL preseason kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 1 with the annual Hall of Fame game. The game begins at 8 p.m. ET and will feature the Texans and Bears at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

How to watch the 2024 NFL Hall of Fame Game

  • TV channel: ESPN/ABC
  • Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo

The 2024 NFL Hall of Fame game features the Texans and Bears as several members of those franchises are entering the Hall of Fame.

The game begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday on ESPN and ABC. Fans can live stream the action on ESPN+ or on Fubo, which offers a free trial

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