Bears beat Texans in weather-shortened Hall of Fame Game

The NFL preseason kicked off on Thursday in Canton, Ohio, with the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. The contest didn’t last the full 60 minutes as weather rolled in and ended the game with 3:31 left in the third quarter with the Chicago Bears leading the Houston Texans, 21-17.

For those counting, the NFC North team defeated the AFC South champions in a game ended by Mother Nature.

A thunderstorm hit the area and player were told to leave the field and fans were instructed to seek shelter. Thirty-six minutes later, the game was called.

In the meaningless stats department, Chicago got three touchdown passes from Brett Rypien, who went 11-of-15 for 166 yards. Bears starters, including No. 1 overall draft pick QB Caleb Williams from USC, did not play. Collin Johnson caught two TD passes.

The Texans led 17-7 in the second quarter but saw the lead evaporate as Chicago scored the final two days of the contest.

The game marked the first with new NFL kickoff rules. Of the eight kickoffs, none were returned beyond the 32.