TNF: Texans vs Panthers Game Thread

Thursday Night Football, Week 3. Tonight the Carolina Panthers visit the Houston Texans in Houston, Texas.

The Texans come into this game fresh from a competitive loss to the Cleveland Browns last week. The Texans have been surprisingly competitive this year. They opened the season with a blowout win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, then gave the Browns a surprising fight in week 2. Unfortunately for the Texans, their starting quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, went down with an injury last week, and the Texans are now down to rookie 3rd round pick Davis Mills at quarterback. It is unlikely Mills is up to the task, and the Texans’ feel good open to the season is likely to go downhill fast with Mills under center.

The Panthers are another surprising team early this season. Thus far Sam Darnold has been surprisingly efficient and effective for the Panthers. Darnold’s hot start combined with the return of Christian McCaffrey after a season lost to injury last year has the Panthers offense humming. The defense has also been effective, ranking #1 in the NFL through the first two games, leading to a hot 2-0 start to the season for the Panthers. Facing a Mills led Texans offense tonight, conditions look ripe for a 3-0 start to the season and an early inside track for a playoff spot for the Panthers.

It’s the Texans and the Panthers on Thursday Night Football. Enjoy the game everybody.