NFL gambling sites favor the Panthers over the Texans in week 3 NFL action at NRG Stadium. The Carolina Panthers aim for their first 3-0 start since the 2015 season. The Houston Texans hope for a big home win to get back on black.
Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans NFL Odds by BetOnline.ag
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | -8 ( -110 ) | 43 ( -110 ) | -410 |  |
| Texans | +8 ( -110 ) | 43 ( -110 ) | +315 | |
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Betting Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are road faves at the best online sportsbooks. The Panthers defence has been second to none in the league through two weeks. They rank on top the NFL against the pass, against the run and in scoring defense.
Last week, Carolina kept the Saints to their fewest yards ever under head coach Sean Payton. They forced seven three-and-outs and allowed just six first downs. The Panthers’ 26-7 win was the fifth consecutive game Carolina has gone UNDER the total, dating back to last season.
The smothering play of their defense means the Panthers can be a tad more conservative with quarterback Sam Darnold. Darnie is off to a 2-0 SU start following a 13-25 record as a starter with the Jets.
Darnold passed for 305 yards and two TDs last week,. He also threw an interception that resulted in the Saints’ only touchdown. Carolina’s kicking game might be the team’s weak spot at the moment. Zane Gonzalez missed an XP and had a field goal blocked last week in his debut as Ryan Santoso’s replacement.
Betting Houston Texans
The Texans are home dogs per NFL gambling sites. Tyrod Taylor is listed as day to day following an injured hamstring last week against the Browns. Rumor has it that we might see Deshaun Watson return under center.
However, head coach David Culley ruled that out on Monday. He noted that Watson will remain on the inactive list. If Taylor isn’t ready by Thursday, rookie Davis Mills would likely make his first career NFL start with Jeff Driskel as backup.
Mills was a mixed bag playing the entire second half against Cleveland. He threw for 102 yards, a TD and a pick. He kept Houston close enough though to earn its second ATS cover in as many games. The Texans’ passing attack took another hit with injuries to tight end Antony Auclair and receivers Nico Collins and Danny Amendola. That is something to take into account with little time to recover on a short week.
Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans NFL Betting Pick
According to NFL gambling sites, The Panthers are 7-0 ATS in their last seven road games and 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall. The Texans are 3-9 ATS in their past 12 Thursday games and 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall. The under is 5-0 in Panthers last five games overall. The over is 4-0 in Texans last four games overall. The underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
Even with Taylor ruled out for this TNF game, the perspective of laying more than a touchdown with the Panthers on the road with short rest is not at all thrilling. The Panthers are off to a great start. They have the best defense in the league on all stat categories through two games.
On the other hand, the Jets and Saints are by no means the best competition in the world. This will be the first road test for the Panthers. The Houston Texans have played approximately a game and a half of solid football. Taylor has looked decent at quarterback (again, were he to play). The Panthers are the superior team, but it’s too many points to lay with a road team on a short week.
