Week 3 officially kick off with Thursday Night Football action as Carolina Panthers looking for their first 3-0 start since 2015 against Houston Texans. Texans opened the season with a surprise win at home vs Jaguars and they even had a lead against the Browns at some point but lost the game at the end. Panthers have looked extremely impressive through their first two weeks. They beat the Saints in Week 2, who were coming off a huge win against the Packers.
Sam Darnold has looked refreshed in this Joe Brady offense. After two weeks, he is 11th in the league for passing yards (584) and middle of the pack in terms of touchdown percentage. While those numbers might not be amazing, they are a significant improvement on his time in New York. Sam Darnold and the Panthers are 2-0, but it’s the defense for Carolina that has really impressed. It will keep impressing teeing off against Texans quarterback Davis Mills in his first NFL start.
With Taylor out, Mills will make his first career NFL start in this contest. Mark Ingram II is the leading rusher for the team with 40 carries for 126 yards plus a score. David Johnson (nine carries, 35 yards) and Philip Lindsay (13 carries, 27 yards, TD) are also in the mix.
The Texans won’t have an answer for Carolina’s offense. Their best bet will be keeping Carolina’s offense on the sidelines by running the football, but that formula will only work for so long until the Panthers blow the game wide open.
While the Texans managed to keep games close with Taylor under center, Mills, a third-round rookie, will not produce a similar outcome. As we saw on Sunday, the Panthers dismantled the Saints following their impressive win over the Packers in the season opener.
Prediction : Carolina Panthers -8