Texans rookies Pitre, Pierce shine in loss to Bears: 'I'm definitely not satisfied, I want to win'

First-year Houston Texans head coach Lovie Smith’s search for his first win of 2022 continues with his new team falling 23-20 to the Chicago Bears, his old team, on Sunday. 

If the Texans – who fell victim to another fourth-quarter flameout – were to find bright spots in their second consecutive loss, it’s in the performances of two members of its rookie class, running back Dameon Pierce and safety Jalen Pitre.

According to a report on the Texans’ website, the Stafford-born Pitre, whom Houston selected out of Baylor in the second round of the 2022 National Football League (NFL) Draft, recorded a career-high two interceptions and his first sack in the pros. Pitre, of course, preferred a win over a career day.

"I'm definitely not satisfied, I want to win," he said in the report. "Definitely not satisfied, looking to improve next week."

Entering the Bears matchup, Texans fourth-rounder and Florida product Pierce logged 102 yards on the ground, with the 16-9 loss to the Denver Broncos last week having been his first career-high game.

Per the Texans, Pierce tacked on more career milestones in the form of 80 rushing yards and his first pro touchdown on 20 totes.

CBS Sports reported that the rusher, who moved up the depth chart after the Texans cut veteran Marlon Mack, also caught two passes from Davis Mills for 21 yards, bringing his receiving yards total to 35.

In what’s seemingly a recurring theme for the Texans so far in the first month of their current campaign, the team kept things competitive – even possessing control of the game – until the fourth quarter.

The team’s report said that Mills’ attempt to convert on third-and-1 in the last few minutes was botched when the second-year signal-caller threw an interception to Bears linebacker Roquan Smith.

Chicago turned the turnover into a game-winning field goal, denying Smith payback at the expense of the squad he led to Super Bowl XL.

The Texans return to NRG Stadium on Oct. 2 for a matchup against the team they defeated for their signature win of the previous season, the Los Angeles Chargers.