As the star player on a suddenly reeling defense, Khalil Mack literally took matters into his own hands Sunday.
On a run up the middle by Texans running back Duke Johnson early in the first quarter, Mack fended off a block by right tackle Tytus Howard and ripped the ball from Johnson, bobbled it and fell on the ball as it hit the ground for a recovery.
The offense failed to score on the ensuing drive, but the tone for the Bears’ 36-7 rout was set. Mack later sacked Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson for a safety that gave the Bears a 16-7 lead.