Carolina Panthers at Houston Betting Analysis, Lines & Picks

NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, will be hosting this week’s edition of Thursday Night Football, as the Carolina Panthers will head to the Lone Star State to take on the Houston Texans.

These two teams are both taking different paths this season, as the Texans are in rebuild mode, while the Panthers feel that their rebuild is over, and it’s time for them to make a serious run at a playoff spot. Let’s take a look at the upcoming match between the Panthers and the Texans so you can bet against their NFL odds.

NFL Betting Preview for Panthers vs Texans

Carolina Panthers Analysis

The Panthers come into this one undefeated at 2-0. Carolina owns victories over the New York Jets and the New Orleans Saints. The Panthers made a big move in the offseason, acquiring quarterback Sam Darnold from the New York Jets.

Panther head coach Matt Rhule felt that he had a team ready for a playoff push, and Darnold was a missing ingredient. Darnold has brought the passing game back to Carolina, as he has the Panthers ranked ninth in the league in passing at just over 282 yards per game. With wide receivers DJ Moore and Robby Anderson leading the way along with tight end Dan Arnold, Darnold has a vast array of options to throw to.

One of those options is running back Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey could be the best dual-threat back in. Now that he’s fully healthy, McCaffrey has returned to his 2019 form. He’s averaging 85 yards per game rushing and 77 yards receiving. He’s tied for the team lead in receptions with 15.

Defensively, Rhule has built one very strong defense in Carolina. Last week, they held a New Orleans offense that had put up a ton of points against the Packers the week before scoreless for three quarters and allowed just six points for the game.

This team has caused the Jets and Saints to turn the ball over, and their rushing defense has been stellar. They held Saints star running back Alvin Kamara to just five yards on eight rushing attempts.

Houston Texans Analysis

The Texans beat Jacksonville in Week 1, but they don’t figure to rack up many more victories this season. There is a lot of turnover in Houston, as the team has either traded or released many of its star players. To make things even worse, they’ve now lost their starting quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, to injury. The journeyman signal-caller had played well until he was injured. Houston’s offense will now be in the hands of backup Davis Webb.

Defensively, the Texans have struggled. They are ranked 20th in the league in scoring defense, allowing 26 points per game. Their secondary is led by safety Justin Reid, Reid is a very good player, but the rest of their defensive backs are young and inexperienced.

We look for Darnold and his potent passing attack to give the Texans defense issues on Thursday night.

Prediction

The Panthers are 7.5-point road favorites. This early in the season, when both teams are unproven, that seems like a lot of points. Both teams are coming off of a short week.

The numbers seem to be leaning in Carolina’s direction, as the Panthers are 7-0 against the spread in their last seven road games. We’re not sure that this is a game we’d wager on, but if you feel the need to throw some money down on this one, we like Houston and the points.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?