Panthers open as favorites against the Texans for this week’s national TV game

Alex Zietlow
·2 min read

The Panthers will embark on their first and only short week of preparation this season and will soon leave for their first road trip of 2021, but the Las Vegas sportsbooks say that bettors are undeterred.

Carolina (2-0), riding high after a Week 2 crushing of the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, opened as 4.5-point favorites against the Texans ahead of their matchup in Houston on Thursday.

Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold looks to throw a pass during the game against the Saints at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, September 19, 2021 in Charlotte, NC. Darnold threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns to help the Panthers defeat the Saints 26-7.
Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold looks to throw a pass during the game against the Saints at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, September 19, 2021 in Charlotte, NC. Darnold threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns to help the Panthers defeat the Saints 26-7.

The game has a few compelling story lines that seem to align with the betting information: Thursday will mark the first time Joey Slye, Houston’s starting kicker who was cut by the Panthers before Week 1, plays his former team. The Texans’ quarterback situation is also in question.

Tyrod Taylor, who has started for the Texans (1-1) in place of Deshaun Watson in the first two weeks of the season, exited Sunday’s loss to the Browns early with a hamstring injury. Taylor won’t play Thursday, and there’s a chance Watson could see the field for the first time since allegations of sexual assault committed by the former Clemson star surfaced in March. There are 22 active civil lawsuits against Watson that allege lewd sexual behavior toward women.

Watson was listed Sunday as the Texans’ third-string quarterback behind Taylor and Davis Mills, a rookie who was selected No. 67 overall out of Stanford. Mills came in for Taylor during Sunday’s loss and threw a touchdown.

Catch up on Sunday’s Panthers-Saints game

+ Analysis: Panthers believe they’re the real deal. At 2-0, it’s hard to argue

+ Sam Darnold was mocked and memed, but Panthers’ gamble on a rejected QB is paying off

+ Sack specialists Reddick and Burns have everything but a nickname for 2-0 Panthers

+ The Panthers are on their third kicker in as many games and it’s not getting any better

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