Official Texans vs. Panthers Game Thread, 9/23/2021

[Arky]

The 1-1 Texans host the 2-0 Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football this week. The Texans had a road loss last weekend, losing 31-21 to the Cleveland Browns while the Panthers made it look easy beating the Saints at home, 26-7. This game will be the Panthers first road game. It's early in the season, but the Panthers so far have good stats in some defensive categories. Panther QB Sam Darnold seems to have adjusted well to his new team. The Texans will need to figure out a way to stop RB Christian McCaffrey.

The Texans will start rookie QB David Mills so it could be either magic or tragic....

The Panthers were 3½ pt favorites early but the injury to Texan QB Tyrod Taylor made the line shoot up to 7½ to 9. If the Texan defense can keep on forcing some turnovers, I'll take a chance on the rookie holding his own so gimme those points:

Panthers 28, Texans 26

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TV = NFLN, Thursday, 7:20pm, 9/23/2021

Announcers = Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, Kristina Pink

The line = Panthers by 7½ to 9

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Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

CBS (early) = LA Chargers @ Kansas City, Jim Nantz, Tony Romo

FOX (early) = New Orleans @ New England, Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth

FOX (late) = Tampa Bay @ LA Rams, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

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Other prime time:

SNF = Green Bay @ San Francisco (NBC)

MNF = Philadelphia @ Dallas (ESPN)

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Arky

The Panthers were 3½ pt favorites early but the injury to Texan QB Tyrod Taylor made the line shoot up to 7½ to 9. If the Texan defense can keep on forcing some turnovers, I'll take a chance on the rookie holding his own so gimme those points:

Panthers 28, Texans 26

This is an ick game to pick against a spread. Short week, plus it's Mills' first start without the benefit of even a full week of prep. But home teams are tough on Thursday nights, and the better coached team always has an advantage. In a small sample size, the Texans coaches seem to have the team outperforming their perceived talent. Plus, the Panthers offense is great with McCaffrey, but it seems hard to expect Darnold to pile on points through the air.

The Panthers are winning this though, just a question of by how much. The closer this game gets to -9, -9.5, -10 or higher, the more I'd avoid. Games with rookie QBs can spiral out of control in a hurry, but I don't see Mills throwing a bunch of picks. I don't see the Texans slowing down the Panthers ground game. And they're likely to play behind at least half or more of this one, with the Panthers' keeping the clock churning. Feels like Panthers 23-13 to me. I'd take the Panthers, boot the points and take the under.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by Keith

This is an ick game to pick against a spread. Short week, plus it's Mills' first start without the benefit of even a full week of prep. But home teams are tough on Thursday nights, and the better coached team always has an advantage. In a small sample size, the Texans coaches seem to have the team outperforming their perceived talent. Plus, the Panthers offense is great with McCaffrey, but it seems hard to expect Darnold to pile on points through the air.

The Panthers are winning this though, just a question of by how much. The closer this game gets to -9, -9.5, -10 or higher, the more I'd avoid. Games with rookie QBs can spiral out of control in a hurry, but I don't see Mills throwing a bunch of picks. I don't see the Texans slowing down the Panthers ground game. And they're likely to play behind at least half or more of this one, with the Panthers' keeping the clock churning. Feels like Panthers 23-13 to me. I'd take the Panthers, boot the points and take the under.

We'll see. Hoping for an entertaining game, at least. Mills' inexperience definitely a concern. Important that the coaches give him the leeway to do what he can and the OL do their best to keep him clean. He's probably going to be the starter for at least a month so an injury would be a disaster....

[Keith]

I assume Jeff Driskel will be the backup, but last I saw he was still on the practice squad. I guess I'm pessimistic on my expectations for Mills as a rookie. I don't think of Driskel as being a big drop from Mills in this game.

We'll see... hopefully Mills will surprise me.

[Arky]

Texans kicked off.

Both teams do a 3 and out.

Panthers have the ball for a 2nd time.

12:36 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Panthers put a drive together and Darnold keeps for the last 6 yards.

Panthers 7, Texans 0

6:36 left in the 1st qtr.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Keith

I don't see Mills throwing a bunch of picks. I don't see the Texans slowing down the Panthers ground game. And they're likely to play behind at least half or more of this one, with the Panthers' keeping the clock churning. Feels like Panthers 23-13 to me. I'd take the Panthers, boot the points and take the under.

$$$

Texans kinda handcuffed the playbook on Mills, which kept him from throwing picks when he wasn't absorbing some tough hits. The Panthers run game wasnt quite a strong as anticipated with McCaffrey out injured. Texans did play from behind, and point scoring was limited with the Panthers playing it safe offensively. Needed that Texans FG to be a TD, but I'll cash a win against the spread with the under paying too.

[Arky]

The 2-1 Titans seem to be the best in the AFCS right now. They got by 0-3 Indy 25-16 no problem today.

The 0-3 Jags were in it until late 3rd qtr against the Cardinals. Two INT's and two lost fumbles by rookie QB Trevor Lawrence ended that. Jags fall 31-19.

The KC Chiefs are 1-2.

The Texan's upcoming opponent, the 2-1 Buffalo Bills, cruised over Washington today 43-21.

Early line for Texans @ Bills is the Bills by 16½.