UPDATE lines at some sportsbooks -8 and -9 now as they brace for what could be a blowout.
Thursday Night Football brings week 3 and two teams that have performed better than expected in the first two weeks. The line opened -3.5 now up to -7.5 with Tyrod Taylor sidelined with the hamstring injury, total at 43, Carolina -400 ml. No matter how this game ends up after seeing how they performed in the first two games and with Mills getting the start for the Texans its gonna end up being the world on the Panthers. They are 1-1 ATS but have had control of both games via the number one yard per defense. For Darnold its been what a difference playing for another team has made, looking like the Jets weren’t missing with the draft pick the used on him. However this game here is on a short week, on the road, and now in a position of being favored by more than a touchdown. Carolina is 10th in percentage of run plays. This has the feel for the Panthers of a game they shouldn’t lose, however you have to feel that Houston will want to run the ball as much as possible being with the backup QB.
All signs here point to Carolina as I’m not sure anyone really wants to put their hard earned money on the Texans when Mills for his career coming into his big opportunity has 102 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Houston the 5th most run plays by percentage through 2 weeks. The Texans 17th in defense to the Panthers 1st in defense. For me this would tend to lead to think an under play might be in order to avoid laying that big number. My prediction 17-10 Panthers.