McCaffrey Out the Rest of The Way, Panthers Still Lead by One
Sam Darnold and the Carolina offense were able to get the first points of the game. As Darnold ran it in for a five-yard rushing touchdown. Both teams were got off to a slow start as Davis Mills and the Texans’ offense went three and out on their first two drives of the game. Darnold was heavily targeting DJ Moore as he had five receptions for 76 yards in the first quarter.
Into the second quarter, the Panthers possessed the ball and faced a 4th and 1 from the Houston five-yard line. Panthers were not able to pick up the first down. Panthers would lose running back Christian McCaffrey to a hamstring injury. A huge loss the rest of the way for the Panthers as they lose, they’re running back for the remainder of the game.
Davis Mills would get the Texans on the board. As they went seven plays for 64 yards. As he connected with Anthony Miller for a one-yard touchdown. The extra point was no good which still had Carolina up by one at halftime.
Carolina controlled the game throughout the first half. However, the loss of Christian McCaffrey may have been very detrimental to the team. However, they still hold a one-point lead heading into the second half. They have gotten great production from DJ Moore as he had 100 receiving yards at halftime. Darnold looks to continue to feed that hot hand and get Roby Anderson involved as well. The Carolina defense played well, and they will need them to continue playing with the same physicality they played within the first half.
Texans had a tough time scoring until their final drive in the first half. As the rookie quarterback, Davis Mills got it going as he got the ball into the endzone to end the first half. They will need to continue to get that connection with Mills and Brandin Cooks going. Cooks had 60 yards on four receptions in the first half. If the running game is unable to get going in the second half expect Davis Mills to throw the ball much of the rest of the way.
Panthers Outscore Texans 17-3 In The 2nd Half to Close It Out
The Texans would get the ball to start the second half. Two big penalties extended the drive. However, Texans were not able to convert on 4th and 4 which set up a punt.
Injury: Panthers Cornerback and first-round pick Jaycee Horn were carted off the field. With an apparent right leg injury.
Darnold would get the ball back and lead the offense to another touchdown. With a handoff to rookie Tommy Tremble for a seven-yard rushing touchdown to put the Panthers up 14-6.
Texans’ offense struggled on offense throughout the third quarter as they were unable to score any points in the. third quarter. Into the fourth quarter, the Panthers scored on a 21-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez to put the Texans up 17-6.
Texans would be able to get on the board in the second half with a Joey Slye 53-yard field goal. On the ensuing drive, Darnold runs it in from 1-yard out. Texans would not be able to get it going offensively in the second half.
The Panthers come away with a big victory over the Texans on Thursday Night Football 24-9.
Game Stats
For the Texans, Davis Mills had 168 passing yards and one passing touchdown. The Running game struggled drastically as the Texans only had 42 total rushing yards on 17 carries. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks had a terrific game caught nine of his 11 targets for 112 yards. Cooks leading the Texans in targets so far this season and being very explosive in the Texans’ passing game, but they fall short tonight against the Panthers.
For the Panthers, Sam Darnold had 304 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He was effective all game long. Chuba Hubbard had 52 yards on 11 carries. Christian McCaffrey had 31 yards on seven carries before going down in the game. DJ Moore has a monstrous performance as the Texans had no answer for him. He caught eight of his 12 targets for 126 yards and led both teams in receiving yards for the game. The Panthers’ defense yet again had another terrific game with four sacks. Six tackles for losses and nine QB hits as the Panthers stay undefeated behind a dominant performance from their defense.
Up Next in Week 4
The Carolina Panthers (3-0) will travel to Dallas to take on the Dallas Cowboys (1-1) on October 3rd.
The Houston Texans (1-2) will travel to Orchard Park, NY to take on the Buffalo Bills (1-1) on October 3rd.
