Week 3 of the NFL season starts with the Carolina Panthers (2-0) traveling southwest to face the Houston Texans (1-1) on Thursday Night Football. The surprise Panthers are set to face a rookie quarterback this week as they aim to stay undefeated. The kickoff at NRG Stadium is set for 8:20 p.m. ET Thursday, and the game will be broadcast on NFL Network.
These teams have played just five times since the Texans joined the NFL. Carolina leads the series 3-2, including a 16-10 win in Texas in 2019. The Panthers have won the last three and are 2-1 all-time in Houston.
Defense Sets Tone for Carolina
Already this season, the Panthers will face a quarterback making his first-ever NFL start. They beat Zach Wilson and the New York Jets 19-14 in the opener and are now set to face rookie Davis Mills. The Panthers grabbed an interception against Wilson and sacked him six times.
Last week Carolina sacked Jameis Winston four times and picked off two passes in a 26-7 win over the favored New Orleans Saints. The defense is a big reason why the Panthers are off to a surprise 2-0 start as they have held opponents to 21 total points. The Panthers lead the NFL in the least yards allowed (190/game), pass yards allowed (143.5/game), rush yards allowed (46.5/game), and sacks (10).
With Sam Darnold completing 68.5 percent of his passes and totaling 584 yards in two games, the Panthers have outscored opponents 33-0 in the first half this season. Darnold has three touchdown passes and just one interception while spreading the ball around to eight different pass catchers.
Christian McCaffrey is back from injury with 170 yards so far this season. He also has a touchdown on the ground to go with 14 receptions for 154 yards. Wideout D.J. Moore has 14 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown, while Robby Anderson has a touchdown to go with 95 yards receiving.
Davis Mills Time in Houston
With DeShaun Watson inactive and Tyrod Taylor injured, Mills is set for his first NFL start with just three days to prepare. The former Stanford quarterback took over for Taylor in Sunday’s loss to Cleveland and threw for 102 yards on 8-for-18 passing. He had one touchdown and one interception.
The Texans were 31st in the NFL in rushing in 2020 and have revamped the backfield in 2021. Mark Ingram II leads the team with 126 yards on 40 carries, while Patrick Lindsay has 13 carries for 27 yards. Lindsay and running back David Johnson both have touchdown receptions on the season.
Brandin Cooks leads the Texans with 14 catches for 210 yards and a touchdown on the season. Newcomer Danny Amendola also has a touchdown catch, and tight end Pharaoh Brown has six catches for 67 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, Justin Reid is tied for the NFL lead with two interceptions in two games. Christian Kirksey and Vernon Hargreaves III also have interceptions to lead Lovie Smith’s defense which has three forced fumbles.
Betting Analysis
- Carolina Panthers -8 (-110). Moneyline -410
- Houston Texans +8 (-110). Moneyline +310
- Total Points: 43. Over -105. Under -115
The Panthers’ defense has been very opportunistic through the first two weeks, and if Houston can’t run the ball, Mills could be in for a long night. Look for Carolina to use ball-control offense with McCaffrey to take control of the game and to be aggressive at the line when Mills has the ball. Houston must take care of the ball and hit some big plays with Cooks to keep Carolina from a possible blowout.
Free Pick: Carolina -8 (-110)
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