Carolina Panthers at Houston Texans NFL Game Picks 9/29/2019

Sunday, September 29, 2019

NRG Stadium

NRG Stadium is the site where Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans will take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Carolina opens this matchup as 5.5-point underdogs. The total is set at 46. The Panthers are 1-2-0 ATS and 2-1-0 when betting on the total. The Texans are 1-2-0 when wagering on the over/under and 2-1-0 against the spread.

Key Carolina Panthers Injuries

09/24/19 G Brandon Greene Neck IR
09/23/19 QB Cam Newton Foot is downgraded to out Sunday vs Houston
09/22/19 DT Kawann Short Shoulder is questionable Sunday vs Houston
09/22/19 S Rashaan Gaulden Groin is questionable Sunday vs Houston
09/22/19 LB Bruce Irvin Hamstring is questionable Sunday vs Houston
09/02/19 K Graham Gano Knee IR
09/02/19 DT Destiny Vaeao Quad IR

Key Houston Texans Injuries

09/22/19 G Senio Kelemete Wrist is questionable Sunday vs Carolina
09/22/19 DE Charles Omenihu Knee injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Carolina
09/03/19 TE Jordan Thomas Ribs IR
09/03/19 RB Lamar Miller Knee IR
09/03/19 TE Kahale Warring Hamstring IR
09/03/19 QB Joe Webb III Foot IR

In their last contest, the Carolina Panthers took on the Arizona Cardinals and won 38-20. Leading the way at QB for the Panthers was Kyle Allen who went 19/26 with 261 yards through the air and threw 4 TD's. He ended the game without an interception. Christian McCaffrey led the team on the ground for the game. He tore off a long run of 76 yards and he notched 1 TD during the game. He scurried for 153 yards via 24 carries which meant he averaged 6.4 yards per run. Greg Olsen was the receiving yardage leader by racking up 75 yards on 6 catches. He averaged 12.5 yards per reception for the game.

The Panthers head into this game 1-2 for this year. In terms of scoring, they are one of the marginal teams in the league averaging 26 points per contest, putting them 6th among all NFL teams. As a team, they are averaging 113 yards on the ground per contest which is 2nd among NFC teams. For total yardage, they sit in 6th in the conference and 11th among all NFL teams with 1,108 yards. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, the Panthers currently have a total of 4 passing TDs and 4 rushing touchdowns. They are a team that has the capability to score points in the division and I wouldn't expect things to change too much in this game.

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The Panthers have one of the middle tier defenses in the league, giving up 23.3 points per contest putting them 8th in the conference. When it comes to passing yards, the Panthers have conceded 499 yards. Opponents are completing 64.5% of the passes they throw against them and averaging 4.2 yards per attempt. They have allowed 4 passing TDs and 3 rushing touchdowns. In discussing yards on the ground, Carolina is allowing 129.0 yards per game ranking them 3rd in the NFC South and 24th in the league. Opposing teams are running for an average of 4.6 yards per carry ranking them 10th among NFC teams and 20th in the NFL overall. In total, they have conceded 339 rushing yards through 3 contests.

In their last game, the Houston Texans took on the Los Angeles Chargers and won 27-20. Carlos Hyde paced the team on the ground for the game. He broke a long run for 10 yards and he ran for 1 touchdown for the game. He rushed for 19 yards by way of 10 carries which meant he averaged 1.9 yards per run. Kenny Stills was the leader in receiving yardage by earning 89 yards on 4 catches. He averaged 22.3 yards per reception for the game. Running the show from under center for the Texans was Deshaun Watson who went 25/34 with 351 yards through the air and completed 3 touchdowns. He walked away from this game with no interceptions.

The Texans head into this matchup 2-1. Houston needs to do more to make teams respect their running game by averaging 115 rushing yards per contest, ranking them 10th in the league. As a unit, they have a total of 345 rushing yards through 3 contests, so they are going to want to make some changes to the ground game if they want to make teams respect them. The Texans average 351 yards per contest overall which has them at 17th in the league and 6th in the conference. In discussing their scoring prowess, the Texans are currently ranked 2nd among AFC South teams and 13th out of all the teams in the league averaging 22.7 points per game.

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The Texans are allowing 20.7 points per contest which puts them at 3rd in the AFC South and 13th in the NFL. In terms of points allowed, they have allowed 62 points in total. In discussing yards on the ground, they are conceding 108 yards per game which puts them at 15th in the NFL and 1st among AFC South teams. For this season, they have given up a total of 324 yards rushing and 1 rushing touchdown. Their passing defense is one of the middle of the road groups among NFL teams. They are allowing 278 passing yards per contest. For passing yards allowed per game, the Texans are currently ranked 11th among AFC teams. They have allowed 5 passing TDs this season.

Who will win tonight's Panthers/Texans NFL game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Texans -5.5

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