Houston Texans vs. Carolina Panthers a Reunion of Champions

There are a lot of familiar faces on both sidelines this weekend when the Houston Texans face the Carolina Panthers.

The Houston Texans will face the Carolina Panthers this weekend for just the seventh time ever and only the second since 2020.

While the franchises may not be familiar with each other there are plenty of Texans and Panthers connections and reunions taking place this weekend, starting with several Alabama Crimson Tide products who will be foes with one for the first time.

“Texans DE Will Anderson Jr., LB Christian Harris, WR John Metchie III, LB Henry To’o To’o and Panthers QB Bryce Young played together at Alabama from 2020-21,” Houston’s weekly release pointed out. “During this time, the Crimson Tide captured one national championship title (2020), two SEC championship titles (2020-21) and won the Rose Bowl in 2020 and Cotton Bowl Classic in 2021 in route to back-to-back CFP national championship appearances.”

Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) defensive back Jordan Battle (9) and quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrate the victory against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome / Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

Young isn’t the only quarterback who will connect with collegiate bonds this weekend, however. 

Texans receiver Noah Brown and punter Cameron Johnston played for the Ohio State Buckeyes until 2016 as did Panthers safety Von Bell. 

Johnston and Bell were teammates beginning in 2013 while Brown joined the Buckeyes in 2014.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Florida Gators, TCU Horned Frogs, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Texas Longhorns will also be represented on each sideline as well. 

For Houston rookie C.J. Stroud he doesn’t have any former teammates - though he himself is a Buckeyes product - but it’ll be the first time he and Young get to face off in the NFL after bonding during the draft process that led to the duo  being selected in the first two picks.

This game will be the first time the two quarterbacks go head-to-head as their programs didn’t meet while each was in college.

Carolina leads the all-time series four wins to two and have won four straight since 2011.