NFL Week 8: Houston Texans vs Carolina Panthers Odds, and Picks (Oct 29)

• Both of these teams were on bye in week 7.
• These teams have met 6 times previously with Carolina leading the series 4-2-0.

The 3-3 Houston Texans take on the 0-6 Carolina Panthers in a battle between the 1st and 2nd picks from the 2023 NFL Draft. Panthers’ QB Bryce Young was the first rookie off the board whilst Texans’ QB C.J. Stroud was selected immediately after him. Who will come out on top as they go head-to-head here?

How To Watch

• FOX

Game Preview

The Texans’ last outing was a week 6, 13-20 victory over the Saints as they were on bye for week 7. Houston are optimistic that rookie WR Tank Dell will return to the fold following the concussion he suffered in week 5. Two weeks without playing should give the 23-year-old plenty of opportunity to clear the protocols and suit up against the Panthers. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud may have been selected just behind opposite number Bryce Young during the NFL draft but there is no doubt he has outperformed the number 1 pick so far this season. The former Ohio State superstar has thrown 127/213 completions for 1660 yards and 9 touchdowns through 6 games, with only one interception.

The Panthers are also coming off a week 7 bye. Their last outing was a week 6 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Despite leading 14-0 at the end of the first quarter Carolina slumped to a 21-42 defeat which leaves them 0-6 for the season. Number 1 pick Bryce Young has thrown for 967 yards on 115 completions this season, with 6 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Veteran WR Adam Thielen has bounced back from a poor first outing in week 1 to become Young’s go-to guy.

Prediction

The Panthers have been far too easy to run the ball against this season. Houston’s lead back Dameon Pierce has struggled this season, but he’s good enough to hurt Carolina here. The Panthers will fight for this, but I see a narrow Texans win and an unwanted 0-7 record on the horizon for Carolina.

NFL Picks