The Carolina Panthers shoot for their first 3-0 start since 2015 when they visit the Houston Texans for this week’s edition of Thursday night NFL betting action. Carolina is getting good play from its new quarterback and its defense, while Houston is down to a rookie third-stringer at QB. But the Texans won their season opener and gave Cleveland a good game last week.
The Panthers are favored by a touchdown and a hook on the road for this one. What’s our play with our free NFL betting pick?
NFL Betting Lines
Week 3’s NFL betting odds opened the Panthers as seven-point favorites over the Texans, with an over/under of around 43.5. Early betting action then bumped that spread to -7.5 and dipped that total to 43.
Panthers-Texans NFL Betting Preview
Carolina is 2-0 on the season after snuffing New Orleans last week 26-7. The Panthers, playing as three-point home dogs against a Saints team that destroyed Green Bay in Week 1, drove the opening possession of the game 75 yards to a touchdown and led 17-0 at the half. Carolina then let New Orleans get within 17-7 early in the fourth quarter but tacked on the last nine points to secure the victory.
The Panthers produced 383 yards of total offense while holding the Saints to a measly 128 yards. Carolina also made 28 first downs to just six (!) for New Orleans and dominated the time of pos-session by a 39:21 split.
The Panthers opened this season with a 19-14 win over the Jets. Carolina led that game 16-0 be-fore allowing New York to hit the board late in the third quarter and ended up out-gaining the Jets 381-252.
New Panthers starting quarterback Sam Darnold, who struggled so badly with the Jets the last two seasons, is 50/73 passing this season, with three touchdowns against one interception. And the Carolina defense has yet to allow a point in the first half this season.
Houston, meanwhile, is 1-1 on the season after falling gamely at Cleveland last week 31-21. The Texans fell down to the Browns 7-0 five minutes into the game but scored the next 14 points and took a 14-14 tie into halftime. Houston then gave up the first 10 points of the second half to fall down 24-14, got back within three points early in the fourth quarter but gave up one last Cleve-land score and couldn’t get any closer. However, the Texans covered rather easily as 13-point underdogs.
Houston got out-gained by the Browns 355-302, out-rushed 156-82, and lost time of possession 35:25. But it still came away with the money.
The Texans lost starting QB Tyrod Taylor to a rib injury in the second quarter last week, and he will miss Thursday’s game. So rookie Davis Mills, who didn’t look too bad in relief of Taylor last week, will get his first professional start Thursday night.
Houston opened this season with a 37-21 victory over Jacksonville, taking that game outright as a 3.5-point dog.
These teams met most recently two seasons ago, a 16-10 Carolina victory. Kyle Allen quarter-backed the Panthers that day against DeShaun Watson for the Texans.
- Get more details: Panthers at Texans 9/23/21 Match-up Stats
NFL Betting Trends
- Favorites are 18-14 SU, 11-21 ATS in the NFL this season.
- Home teams are 15-16 SU, 12-19 ATS in the NFL this season.
- Home dogs are 5-8 SU, 7-6 ATS in the NFL this season.
Totals Report
Unders are 2-0 in Panthers games this season, which are averaging 33 total points.
Overs are 2-0 in Texans games this season, which are averaging 55 points.
Unders are 17-15 in the NFL this season.
