Carolina Panthers 24 vs 9 Houston Texans summary: score, stats, highlights | NFL Week 3
The good news for the Carolina Panthers is their perfect record remains intact, the bad news is they lost Christian McCaffrey to a hamstring injury in the second quarter. The defense and Sam Darnold led the Panthers to the 24-9 win over the Houston Texans.
Mills makes first start against NFL's best D
The Texans rookie Davis Mills made his first start of his young NFL career, unfortunately for him and Houston he did so against the leagues top defense coming into Week 3. The Panthers entered Thursday’s game allowing just 190 yards a game, and 10.5 points.
Houston had a tough time moving the ball against the Panthers stingy defense, especially in the first half. Carolina’s defense allowed just 44 yards up until the Texans final drive of the second quarter.
Darnold led Panthers on 3 long TD drives
After a three on out on their first possession, the Panthers had an impressive 10 play, 88 yard drive that was finished off by Darnold’s 5 yard touchdown run. It would be the first of two rushing touchdowns for Darnold on the night.
The big blow for Carolina came in the second quarter when Christian McCaffrey limped off the field with a hamstring injury. He would not return to the game, and it took a while for the Panthers offense to recover.
Hurry up helped Houston find a rhythm
Houston responded just before the half when they went into the hurry up offense with just 1:37 to go in the second quarter. The 7 play, 64 yard drive was the best the rookie quarterback looked all night, completing six straight passes including a 30 toss to Brandin Cooks, and a one yard touchdown to Anthony Miller.
That was about the only bright spot for the Texans offense all night. Out of the halftime break, Darnold and the Panthers cruised down the field for 10 play, 91 yard drive capped by a seven yard touchdown run by Tommy Tremble to go up 14-7.
A Texans three and out, and led to another long, time consuming drive by the Darnold which ended with a 53-yard Zane Gonzalez field goal to stretch the score to 17-6.
Darnold's second rushing TD closes out game
The Texans would score a field goal of their own to make it a one possession game, but Carolina punched back immediately with a 75 yard touchdown drive as Darnold put the game on ice with a QB sneak from the one yard line.
The Panthers have to be ecstatic with the way Sam Darnold has began his Panthers career. He has three wins in three games, two straight 300 yards games, and 3 touchdowns with just one interception.
The former Jet has a new go to target in Charlotte as well. DJ Moore was unstoppable in an opening half where he had over 100 yards in route to a night where he caught 8 passes for a total of 126 yards.
Running game no exisitent for Texans
Mills didn’t have the debut he would have hoped for on Thursday night. While he threw a touchdown and went 19/28 for 168 yards, the offense never seemed to find it’s rhythm. He didn’t get much help from his running backs who combined for just 26 yards on 13 carries.
In the end the Carolina defense ended right on par with their average coming into Thursday night. They allowed just 193 yards, and just 9 points.
In fairness to the rookie quarterback had a short week to prepare for his first start. He will have a few more days to prepare for next weeks game in Buffalo. The Panthers will head back to Carolina undefeated, but will be anxiously waiting for tests to come back on Christian McCaffrey’s hamstring.
The good news for the Carolina Panthers is their perfect record remains intact, the bad news is they lost Christian McCaffrey to a hamstring injury in the second quarter. The defense and Sam Darnold led the Panthers to the 24-9 win over the Houston Texans.
Mills makes first start against NFL's best D
The Texans rookie Davis Mills made his first start of his young NFL career, unfortunately for him and Houston he did so against the leagues top defense coming into Week 3. The Panthers entered Thursday’s game allowing just 190 yards a game, and 10.5 points.
Houston had a tough time moving the ball against the Panthers stingy defense, especially in the first half. Carolina’s defense allowed just 44 yards up until the Texans final drive of the second quarter.
Darnold led Panthers on 3 long TD drives
After a three on out on their first possession, the Panthers had an impressive 10 play, 88 yard drive that was finished off by Darnold’s 5 yard touchdown run. It would be the first of two rushing touchdowns for Darnold on the night.
The big blow for Carolina came in the second quarter when Christian McCaffrey limped off the field with a hamstring injury. He would not return to the game, and it took a while for the Panthers offense to recover.
Hurry up helped Houston find a rhythm
Houston responded just before the half when they went into the hurry up offense with just 1:37 to go in the second quarter. The 7 play, 64 yard drive was the best the rookie quarterback looked all night, completing six straight passes including a 30 toss to Brandin Cooks, and a one yard touchdown to Anthony Miller.
That was about the only bright spot for the Texans offense all night. Out of the halftime break, Darnold and the Panthers cruised down the field for 10 play, 91 yard drive capped by a seven yard touchdown run by Tommy Tremble to go up 14-7.
A Texans three and out, and led to another long, time consuming drive by the Darnold which ended with a 53-yard Zane Gonzalez field goal to stretch the score to 17-6.
Darnold's second rushing TD closes out game
The Texans would score a field goal of their own to make it a one possession game, but Carolina punched back immediately with a 75 yard touchdown drive as Darnold put the game on ice with a QB sneak from the one yard line.
The Panthers have to be ecstatic with the way Sam Darnold has began his Panthers career. He has three wins in three games, two straight 300 yards games, and 3 touchdowns with just one interception.
The former Jet has a new go to target in Charlotte as well. DJ Moore was unstoppable in an opening half where he had over 100 yards in route to a night where he caught 8 passes for a total of 126 yards.
Running game no exisitent for Texans
Mills didn’t have the debut he would have hoped for on Thursday night. While he threw a touchdown and went 19/28 for 168 yards, the offense never seemed to find it’s rhythm. He didn’t get much help from his running backs who combined for just 26 yards on 13 carries.
In the end the Carolina defense ended right on par with their average coming into Thursday night. They allowed just 193 yards, and just 9 points.
In fairness to the rookie quarterback had a short week to prepare for his first start. He will have a few more days to prepare for next weeks game in Buffalo. The Panthers will head back to Carolina undefeated, but will be anxiously waiting for tests to come back on Christian McCaffrey’s hamstring.
The Caroliina Panthers win it on the road and remain undefeated!!
Carolina will kneel the down to run out the clock.
Hubbard runs right and picks up 6, which will take us to the two minute warning. 1st and 10 coming up for the Panthers.
Carolina takes over from the CAR 42. 6 yard gain from Hubbard to the CAR 48.
MIlls finds Cooks, but he is short of the first down marker. 8 yard gain, turnover on downs.
2:31 to go in the fourth
MIlls hits Akins for a gain of 5. 4th and 11 from the HOU 50.
Low snap brings a loss of 6. 3rd and 16 from the CAR 45.
Pass incomplete over the middle, looked like it could have been a fumble. 2nd and 10 fro the CAR 49.
Mills to Akins on the out route for a gain of 12. 1st and 10 frot he CAR 49.
Roberts with a big return to the HOU 39 after a 38 yard return. 1st and 10 Texans with 4:01 to go in the game.
TOUCHDOWN PANTHERS!!!
Darnold on the QB sneek didn't get it on the first attempt, but got a push from behind to get him over the line.
4:07 to go in the game
Freeman leaps to the for the endzone but is stopped short. 3rd and Goal from the HOU 1. Timeout Houston with 4:12 to go in the game
Pass incomplete to Hubbard in the endzone. 2nd and Goal from the HOU 1.
Hubbard runs left and gains 14 before being pushed out of bounds. 1st and Goal from the HOU 1.
Freeman picks up 2 yards on the run to the right. 2nd and 8 from the HOU 15. Timeout Houston with 4:30 to go in the fourth quarter.
Darnold to Marshall on the crossing pattern over the middle for a gain of 23. 1st and 10 form the HOU 17.
Darnold to Arnold on the pass to the right side. 11 yard catch and run for Arnold. 1st and 10 from the HOU 40.
Darnold just overthrows Moore who tried to make the finger tip catch. 3rd and 10 coming up from the CAR 49
Hubbard stopped for no gain on the run up the middle. 2nd and 10 from the CAR 49
Hubbard on the right side run, picks up 12 yards. 1st and 10 from the CAR 49.
Anderson on the stop route for a gain of 8 yards. 1st and 10 from the CAR 37
Handoff to Hubbard for a gain of 4. 2nd and 6 from the CAR 29
The Panthers will take over from the 25 after the touchback.
FIELD GOAL TEXANS!!!
Slye nails the 53 yards field goal from the right hash.
9:09 to go in the 4th quarter.
Mills crushed in the backfield by Reddick for a loss of 4. 4th and 9 fro the CAR 35.
Mills to Cooks for a gain of 5 yards on the out route. 3rd and 5 from the CAR 32
Mills incomlpete to Akins. 2nd and 10 from the CAR 36.
Cooks on the slant pattern picks up 11 yards. 1st and 10 from the CAR 36.
Mills incomplete to Miller. 2nd and 10 from the CAR 48.
Darnold back to Cooks for a gain of 15. 1st and 10 from the CAR 48.
Mills completes to Cooks on a 13 yard pass play. 1st and 10 from the HOU 38.
Houston will take over from the 25 after the touchback.
FIELD GOAL PANTHERS!!!
Gonzalez hits the 21 yard field goal from the right hash.
12:40 to go in the fourth quarter
Timeout taken by Carolina with 12:47 to go in the fourth quarter.
Darnold to Marshall who will be a yard short of the first down. 4th and 1 from the HOU 3.
Daronld under pressure, pass incomplete to Marshall. 3rd and 6 from the HOU 8.
Hubbard up the middle for a gain of 4. 2nd and 6 from the HOU 8.
Darnold on the deep ball to Tremble for a 30 yard gain. 1st and 10 form the HOU 12.
Moore stopped in the backfield after the reverse. Loss of 1, 2nd and 11 from the HOU 42. We are headed to the fourth quarter in Houston.
Pass from Darnold to Arnold is incomplete, but a pass interefence call against Murray will give the Panthers a first down. 1st and 10 from the 41
Freeman runs right and picks up 2. 2nd and 8 from the HOU 47.
Darnold connects with Marshall for a pitch and catch of 8 yards. After the measurement the Panthers are awarded a 1st down from the HOU 49.
Darnold to Hubbard for a short pass and gain of 10 yards. 3rd and 9 from the CAR 42.
Darnold dashes for a gain of 33, but a holding call against Irving will bring back the run. 2nd and 18 from the CAR 33.
Hubbard up the middle for 2 yards. 2nd and 8 from the CAR 43.
Moore on the fair catch at the CAR 36. Ineligibe player down field aginst the HOU will bring the Panthers to their own 41.
Mills sacked by Luvu for a loss of 9. 4th and 15 from the HOU 20.
Ingram gets a yard on the right side run. 3rd and 6 from the HOU 29.
Ingram up the middle for a gain of 3. 2nd and 7 from the HOU 28.
The Texans will take over at the 25 after the touchback.
TOUCHDOWN PANTHERS
Tremble on the end around takes it 7 yards to the house. PAT goo from Gonzalez.
6:20 to go in the third.
Darnold rolls right and hits Erickson on the side line for a gain of 26. 1st and Goal from the HOU 7
Freeman streaks up the middle, and picks up 13. 1st and 10 from the HOU 32. Blacklock injured on the play.
Daronld back to Moore for a gain of 16 yards. 1st and 10 from the HOU 45.
Darnold's pass incomplete to Marshall. 2nd and 10 from the 39.
Darnold scrambels for a gain of 4 and is hit after he slid. Kirksey flagged for the 15 yard personal foul penalty. 1st and 10 from the CAR 39.
Hubbard brought down in the backfield for a loss of 1. 2nd and 11 from the CAR 19
Moore on the slant with a 9 yard reception. 1st and 10 from the CAR 20.
Hubbard up the middle for a gain of 1. 2nd and 9 from the CAR 10.
Fair catch by Erickson at the CAR 9. 1st and 10 Panthers.
10:37 to go in the third quarter
Jaycee Horn was injured a few plays ago and is questionable to return.
Mills incomplete pass to the right side intended for Mills. 4th and 4 from the CAR 39. The Punter comes out to a ring of boos around the stadium.
MIlls imcomplete on the deep ball looking for Cooks. 3rd and 4 from up from the CAR 39.
Pass broken up. Darnold looking for Miller, but an offside penalty will give HOU the ball at the CAR 39. 2nd a 4 coming up.
Lindsay runs left, and gains 2 yards. 2nd and 8 from the CAR 44.
Pass too high for Cooks, but a pass interference call will give the Texans a first down at the CAR 45. 1st and 10 coming up
Ingram stopped after a gain of 2. 3rd and 8 from the HOU 42.
Mills pass incomplete looking for Conley. 2nd and 10 from the HOU 40
MIlls rolls right and finds Miller on the sideline for a 5 yard gain. 1st and 10 frmo the HOU 40.
Akins on the out route for a gain on five, after he breaks a couple tackles. 3rd and 2 from the HOU 35.
Lindsay up the middle for a gain of 3. 2nd and 7 from the HOU 30.
Mills finds MIller for a 10 yard gain. 1st and 10 from the HOU 27.
Screen pass incomplete to Lindsay. 2nd and 10 form the HOU 19
Back in play in Houston. The Texans wil receive out of the break. Roberts brings to the HOU 17 on a 19 yard return.
What a drive to end the half for the Texans. Mills throws his second touchdown as a pro
Mills is 9/11 for 79 yards and a touchdown. Mark Ingram leads the Texans in rushing with 16 yards on 3 rushes. Brandin Cooks has 4 catches for 60 yards.
Darnold has 158 yards on 13/20 passing. McCaffrey had 31 yards before going down with a hamstring injury. Moore has 100 yards on 6 receptions.
Carolina dominated for 28 of the 30 minutes in the first half, but lead by just 1 point after allowing the Texans to march down the field on the final possesion of the half.
Darnold stripped again in the backfield. Fumble recovered by Irving and that will bring us to the end of the half.
Carolina lead Houston 7-6
Darnold to Hubbard for a gain of 10. Timeout Carolina with 17 seconds to go in the half. 1st and 10 from the CAR 35.
Carolina will take it over from the 25 after the touchback. 1st and 10 Panthers
TOUCHDOWN TEXANS!!!
Mills hits MIller on the slant in the endzone for the 1 yard touchdown. Slye misses the PAT
25 seconds to go in the Half.
Mills over the middle to Cooks for a gain of 11. 1st and 10 from the CAR 1.
Mills to Akins for a gain of 10 yards. 1st and 10 from the CAR 12.
MIlls to Johnson for 4 yards. 2nd and 6 from the CAR 22.
Biggest play of the night for HOU. 30 yard pick up on the pass from Mills to Cooks. 1st and 10 for the CAR 26.
Mills connects with Cooks on the comeback route for 8 yards. 2nd and 2 from the HOU 44.
Fair catch by Roberts, Texans take over from the HOU 36. 1:37 to go in the second quarter.
Darnold is swarmed in the backfield for a loss of 7. 4th and 9 from the CAR 27. Timeout Texans with 1:44 to go in the half.
Darnold find Freeman for 8 yards. That will bring us to the two minute warning. 3rd and 2 from the CAR 34 coming up.
Darnold looking for Anderson, but he dropped the pass. 2nd and 10 from the CAR 26.
Erickson with a fair catch at the CAR 26. 1st and 10 Panthers with 2:08 to go in the half
Mills with a short completion to Burkhead for a gain of 4. 4th and 10 from the HOU 30.
Mills sacked in the backfield for a loss of 4. 3rd and 14 from the HOU 25.
Lindsay stuck at the line of scrimmage for no gain. 2nd and 10 from the HOU 28.
Punt was muffed by Roberts, but he regains control. Flag on the play: Ineligible downfield, 5 yard penalty. HOU will take over from their own 28.
4:00 to go in the second quarter.
Hubbard picks up 7 on the screen pass. 4th and 8 coming up
Pass incomplete, as it was knocked away from Arnold. 3rd and 15 from the HOU 24.
Darnold stripped in the backfield, but Paradis recovers for the Panthers. 2nd and 15 from the CAR 24.
Erickson returns the punt 12 yards. 1st and 10 Panthers from the CAR 29
Johnson runs right and picks up 7. 4th and 9 fro mthe HOU 36.
False start on Britt, which will back the Texans up to the HOU 29, 3rd and 16 coming up.
Lindsay wrapped up in the backfield for a loss of 2. 3rd and 11 from the HOU 34.
Lindsay picks up a yard on the run up the middle. 2nd and 9 from the HOU 36.
MIlls' pass to MIller incomplete, but Nixon is whistled for the roughing the quarterback penalty. 15 yards for HOU who will get a 1st and 10 from the HOU 34.
Ingram picks up a yard, but an offside penalty against Burns will move the Texans to the HOU 20. 2nd and 6 coming up.
Back to Lindsay who is stopped in the backfield for a loss of 1. 2nd and 11 from the HOU 15. Timeout HOU with 8:41 to go in the first half
Lindsay picks up 2 yards, 1st and 10 from the HOU 16.
CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY HAS BEEN RULED OUT OF THE GAME WITH A HAMSTRING INJURY.
Ingram pushes the pile for 4 yards. 2nd and 1 from the HOU 14.
Mills looking for Conley, pass incomplete. Offside on Haynes. 1st and 5 from the HOU 10.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS!!
Houston stops Hubbard on the fourth down conversion!
10:47 to go in the 4th Quarter
Darnold finds Arnold for 12 yards, 4th and 1 coming up for HOU
Daley flagged for the false start. 5 yard penalty. 3rd and 13 from the HOU 17.
Darnold's pass incomplete to Hubbard. 3rd and 8 from the HOU 12.
McCaffrey runs left, and gets 2 yards. 2nd and 8 from the HOU 12.
Moore wide open in the middle of the defense. Pick up of 14 yards, 1st and 10 from the HOU 14.
Pass incomplete to Moore on the left side. 2nd and 10 from the HOU 28.
QB sneak from Darnold who picks up a yard and the 1st down. 1st and 10 from the HOU 38
McCaffrey runs left and powers past tacklers for 9 yards. 2nd and 1 from the HOU 39.
Darnold hits McCaffrey in the flat, picks up 8 yards on the catch and run. 1st and 10 from the HOU 48.
McCaffrey picks up 4 to bring the first quarter to a close. 2nd and 6 from the CAR 44
McCaffrey runs left with a gain of 10. 1st and 10 from the HOU 40
Darnold finds Anderson over the middle, for a gain of 4. Illegal contact against King. 1st down fromt the HOU 30.
McCaffrey bundled up for a loss of 3 yards. 2nd and 13 from the CAR 25.
Darnold back to Moore on the out route to the left for a gain of 13. 1st and 10 from the CAR 28
Darnold to Moore in the flat for a gain of 1. 2nd and 9 from the CAR 15.
Fair catch from Erickson at the CAR 14. 1st and 10 coming up for the Panthers with 3:30 to go in the first quarter.
Mills scrambles for a yard. 4th and 4 HOU will punt from the 42.
Miller on the reception for 4 yards on the comeback route. 3rd and 6 coming up from the HOU 41
Mills hits Cooks on the out route for a gain of 11. 2nd and 10 from the HOU 38.
Ingram picks up four on another run, but this time the Texans are penalized for a holding call aginst Brown. 1st and 20 from the 27.
Ingram picks up 6 for the first down. Offside penalty declined by HOU. 1st and 10 from the 31.
Ingram runs up the middle for a gain of 6. 2nd and 4 from the HOU 31.
Houston wil take it from the 25 after the touchback
TOUCHDOWN PANTHERS!!!
Darnold on the keeper, takes it into the endzone for the opening score of the game!! 5 yard TD run.
6:36 to go in the 1st quarter.
Pass complete to Moore who gets down inside the 10 on a gain of 26. 1st and Goal from the HOU 5.
Hubbard runs right and picks up 3. 2nd and 7 from the HOU 31.
Darnold rolls left and finds Marshall for a gain of 12 yards. 1st and 10 from the HOU 31
Darnold back to Moore for a gain of 28. 1st and 10 from the HOU 46.
Darnolds pass incomplete to Moore. Moore dropped it as it slipped through his hands. 3rd and 9 from the 25.
McCaffrey on the screen pass, picks up a yard. 2nd and 9 from the 25.
Darnold picks up two on the QB sneak. 1st and 10 from the 24.
McCaffrey stopped short of the first down marker. 3rd and 1 coming up from the 21.
McCaffrey spurts up the middle for a gain of 9. 2nd and 1 from the CAR 21
Erickson returns the punt 3 yards to the CAR 12. 1st and 10 coming up from the deep in the Panthers territory
Pass batted down at the line, and a 3 and out to start the game for each team. 4th and 6 HOU will punt.
Ingrahm stopped in the backfield for a loss of two on the screen pass. 3rd and 6 coming up from the HOU 39.
Cooks on the end around for a pick up of six. 2nd and 4 the HOU 41.
Charlton with a 32 yard punt. HOU will take over from their own 36.
Pass broken up, Moore was the intended receiver. A lot of contact on that play, but no flag thrown. 4th and 3 coming up
Pass over the middle broken up, Darnold was looking for Arnold. 3rd and 3 coming up
Darnold in the air on the first play of the game, hits Moore for 7 yards. 2nd and 3 from the CAR 33
We are underway from NRG Stadium!!! Panthers will start on offense, and take it from the 25 after the touchback
Davis Mills will get a warm welcome to the NFL by going up against the leagues best defense. They have allowed the fewest points (10.5) and total yards (190.0) per game through the first two weeks.
We are about 10 minutes away from kicking off Week 3 from Houston.
According to Bet365.com the Panthers are 8 point favorites coming into tonight's game, with the Over/Under set at 43
Mills will have to be on his toes tonight, He's going up against a defense that already has 10 sacks on the season.
Davis will be the fourth rookie quarterback to start a game and we are just three weeks into the regular season. Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones and Zach Wilson were named the starters before the season began. Mills is the first one to be brought off the bench due to injury problems.
The Texans crushed the Jags in the season opener, but then hit the road to take on a dangerous Cleveland team that are many people's dark horse in the AFC. They held close, but Tyrod Taylors hamstring injury brought rookie QB Davis Mills off the bench. The Texans ended up losing 31-21
The Panthers defense has given up just three touchdowns over the course of the first two weeks. After an ugly game which they beat the Jets 19-14 they held the Saints to just 7 points after New Orleans put up 38 against the Packers in opening week.
The Panthers have been one of the pleasant surprises of the regular season. Sam Darnold has looked solid in his first two games, Christiian McCaffery looks back to his best form, and the defense has locked down the first two opponents.
Hello everyone and welcome to Houston where the Carolina Panthers will look to remain undefeated against a Houston Texans side that's offense went from bad to worse last week.
The Carolina Panthers will travel to NRG Stadium to face the Houston Texans to kickoff Week 3 of the NFL regular season on Thursday night.
Panthers looking to stay hot
The Panthers will put their undefeated record on the line as they face a 1-1 Texans team that will be forced to play a rookie quarterback just three weeks into the season.
Carolina nearly pitched a shutout last week against a New Orleans Saints side that posted 38 points in Week 1. While the defense has been dominant over the first games of the season, all eyes have been on offseason acquisition Sam Darnold.
Darnold's promising start as a Panther
Darnold was brought to Carolina in a trade with the New York Jets after a short tenure in the Meadowlands. The Panthers have been in search of a steady quarterback to lead the franchise to a brighter future, and if the opening to games are any indication they are in good hands with Darnold. The former first round selection has passed for 584 yards and three touchdowns coming into Week 3.
If Darnold can solidify himself as a threat in the Panthers offense, that will open up plenty of space for Christian McCaffery to run in the trenches. McCaffery looks back to his best after an injury filled season in 2020.
Mills the fourth rookie QB to start this year
The Texans won their opener against a reeling Jacksonville Jaguars team, but were hit with a double loss last week. Not only did Houston lose to Cleveland on Sunday, but they also lost their starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor to a hamstring injury.
That means rookie quarterback Davis Mills will be under center for the primetime game on Thursday night. The former Stanford gunslinger stepped in for Taylor after the injury going 8/18 for 102 yards passing in a couple quarters.
Panthers vs. Texans: How and where to watch
The opening game of Week 3 between the Carolina Panthers and the Houston Texans will kickoff from NRG Stadium on Thursday, September 23, with the game set to get underway at 8:20 p.m. ET/ 5:30 p.m. PT.