The Carolina Panthers have enjoyed a flying start to the new NFL season and will be full of confidence as they hit the road to face the Houston Texans on Thursday night.
NRG Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for the Panthers over the years, and head coach Matt Rhule has a side capable of going 3-0 for the campaign.
Darnold Making Flying Start in Carolina
After seeing his time at the New York Jets come to an end, quarterback Sam Darnold is now enjoying a new lease of life at the Panthers.
The 24-year-old will have enjoyed Carolina’s opening win against the Jets, as he threw 279 passing yards and scored a rushing touchdown on the Panthers’ way to a 19-14 win over his former employers.
Darnold was able to back up that performance by helping Carolina to a convincing victory over New Orleans, as the Panthers ran out 26-7 winners.
Both games were in the home comforts of the Bank of America Stadium, and the Thursday night encounter with the Texans provides an excellent first test for the Panthers outside of Charlotte.
Panthers Can Make it Four on the Spin
While these two teams don’t face each other often in the NFL, Carolina have certainly enjoyed the most recent encounters.
The Panthers have won all of the last three meetings, with two of those clashes coming at the NRG Stadium.
The last time these teams went toe to toe was back in 2019, with Carolina winning 16-10 in Houston.
With Darnold impressing in the pocket and the experienced running back Christian McCaffrey causing defences problems on the ground, the Texans look like they are going to have their work cut out for them.
Texans Still Finding Their Feet
It has been a mixed start to the campaign for Houston, who secured their own win in round one with a 37-21 victory at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Texans were brought back down to earth with a bump a week later after a 31-21 defeat at the hands of the Browns in Cleveland.
With 52 points conceded in their first two games of the season, head coach David Culley is in desperate need of shoring up the defence if they are to enjoy a successful campaign in the AFC South.
On the other side of the ball, experienced QB Tyrod Taylor has enjoyed a positive start to the season, throwing for 416 yards in his first two outings.
This that get back
pic.twitter.com/CwB5NkOiAo
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 22, 2021
With three touchdown passes already to his name, Taylor was looking promising before picking up an injury, which sees rookie Davis Mills given an opportunity.
Ultimately the Panthers are heavy favourites for the win, with Rhule’s team at 2/9 on the Money Line to secure the victory on Thursday night.
There is more value to be had on the Spread, with Carolina on -8 points at 50/53.
It’s hard to see past the Panthers taking advantage of a leaky Texans’ defence on their way to a third victory of the campaign.
*All odds correct at time of writing.