Bears Clinch NFL's Worst Record, Earn 1st Overall Pick

The Houston Texans picked a strange time to show some pride. With their gutsy Week 18 32-31 win over the Indianapolis Colts, the Texans have finished their season 3-13-1, surrendering the league's worst record and the 2023 NFL Draft's first overall pick to the Chicago Bears.

No. 1⃣https://t.co/kIqFgPQRpi
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 8, 2023

The Texans trailed 31-24 entering their final drive of the game and marched 83 yards for a touchdown against the hapless Colts. Rather than kick an extra point for a tie, the Texans went for two and successfully converted. They held the Colts out of the endzone on a desperation hail mary throw as time expired and picked up their third win of the season, much to the gratitude of Bears fans.

It's a startling (and refreshing) rejection of the concept of tanking by the Texans. Reports emerged today that the Texans intended to move on from head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Nick Caserio this offseason; maybe the two franchise leaders didn't feel like doing their successors any favors.

In the long run, today's win may not do the Texans much harm. If they intended to draft a quarterback with their top selection, there's a good chance he'll still be available with the second pick. Quarterback Justin Fields appears to have endeared himself to the Bears organization; they'd be unlikely to draft his replacement.