Houston Texans Fall to Carolina Panthers in Week 8 Loss

Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will take the helm as the Panthers' primary play-calling duties from coach Frank Reich.

The Houston Texans (3-3) are returning from their Week 7 bye for an interconference match against the 0-6 Carolina Panthers. 

The game will mark the first contest against the top two quarterbacks drafted during the 2023 NFL Draft — Bryce Young (No. 1 overall) and C.J. Stroud (No. 2 overall). But the Texans will face a Panthers team that made a significant change on the sideline. 

Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will take the helm as the Panthers' primary play-caller from coach Frank Reich. Through the first six games of the season, the Panthers scored an average of 18.7 points while recording 320.5 yards.

"It’s just hard, and you just don’t know what effect that will be," defensive coordinator Matt Burke said. "The biggest effect is just not really knowing the tendencies of the play-caller. When you have some numbers of guys of how they like to call it or certain down-and-distances – we just don’t have that history. 

"I’m sure there’s maybe things that he [Thomas Brown] likes that Frank [Reich] didn’t like or vice-versa. That’s just going to be something real-time that we’re going to have to get a feel for."

C.J. Stroud (7) during warm ups against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

WHAT: Houston Texans (3-3) vs. Carolina Panthers (0-6)

WHERE: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC (74,867)

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, 12 p.m. (CDT)

TELEVISION: FOX / FuboTV (try it free)

RADIO: SportsRadio 610 AM, 100.3 FM The Bull

Get your tickets at SI Tickets

BETTING via SI Sportsbook

SPREAD: Texans -3.5,

TOTAL: 42.5

MONEYLINE: Texans -188, Panthers +150

Live game updates will appear here after kickoff.

1st Quarter: 

The Texans received the ball first, three and out. 

Punt

Three and out for the Panthers. 

Punt

Outside of Stroud rushing for 15 yards, the Texans had another inefficient drive. 

Punt

The Panthers' second drive began with Young finding running back Raheem Blackshear for 19 yards. After recording their first first-down of the game, the Panthers went three-and-out.

Punt

End of 1st

2nd Quarter:

Stroud connected with wide receiver Nico Collins for 15 yards. Two plays later, the Texans recorded their second first down, with Stroud finding running back Mike Boone for 12 yards. Houston would go on to record 92 yards in 18 plays. They finished the drive with their first touchdown of the day with a two-yard run by fullback Andrew Beck.

Texans 7, Panthers 0

Young completed a 31-yard pass to wide receiver Adam Thielen, which placed the Panthers on 1st-and-goal. Despite reaching the goal line, the Texans made four consecutive stops to prevent Carolina from recording their first touchdown of the game.

Turnover on down:

The Texans failed to capitalize on their latest offensive series.

Punt

Will Anderson Jr. almost had his second career sack, but a holding penalty on Ka'Kdar Hollman resulted in an automatic first down for the Panthers. The flag resulted in Carolina recording 56 additional yards. Young connected with tight end Tommy Tremble for a one-yard touchdown, but kicker Eddy Piñeiro missed the extra point attempt.

Texans 7, Panthers 6

The Texans' final offensive drive of the first half began with Panthers' linebacker Frankie Luvu recording an 11-yard sack on Stroud, three-and-out.

Punt

Panthers end the first half with four yards in four plays.

Halftime:

3rd Quarter:

The Panthers came out of the half and recorded 49 yards in 10 plays. The drive ended with Piñeiro drilling a 46-yard field goal.

Panthers 9, Texans 7

The Texans' first series of the second half ended in a turnover. Stroud connected with Beck for eight yards, who fumbled after converting the first down. Panthers' safety Xavier Woods recovered.

Turnover

The Panthers capitalized on the Texans' mishap by nailing a 37-yard field goal. They recorded nine yards in four plays to get into field goal range. 

Panthers 12, Texans 7

The Texans were able to put together their second-best series of the game. Dameon Pierce was able to pick up a huge 15-yard gain, which later led to Stroud finding Brown for 31 yards. Houston got into the red zone and scored on 4th-and-goal due to Stroud's quarterback sneak. They failed to convert a two-point conversion.

Texans 13, Panthers 12

End of 3rd

4th Quarter:

The Texans gave up a 52-yard kick return to Blackshear, but three-and-out for the Panthers.

Punt

The Texans recorded 18 yards in six plays.

Punt

Three and out for the Panthers.

Punt

The Texans sustained another injury to their offensive line Sunday vs. the Panthers. Rookie center Jarrett Patterson suffered an ankle injury and was carted off the field midway through the fourth quarter. Houston recorded 17 yards in seven plays.

Punt

The Panthers put together arguably their best drive of the day in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Houston could not get a defensive stop, as the Panthers recorded 59 yards in 16 plays. Piñeiro drilled a 23-yard field goal for their first win of the season. 

Panthers 15, Texans 13