QB Sam Darnold threw for 304 yards and scored two rushing touchdown and the Carolina Panthers cruised by the Houston Texans 24-9 on Thursday night. The win by the Panthers was at a heavy cost, with three devastating injuries.
The Panthers are 3-0 for the first time in six seasons. In 2015, they started the season 14-0, on their way to a Super Bowl appearance.
Carolinas’ first-ranked defense put pressure on the Texans’ signal caller Davis Mills throughout the game. This was Mills first career start. The Panthers sacked him four times and stifled his passing game, holding him to 168 yards.
Mills was replacing QB Tyrod Taylor, who missed the game due to a hamstring injury that occurred in Week 2 against the Browns. He was placed on injured reserve.
Darnold was accurate as he continues to rebuild his career after being traded by the Jets back in April. He could face some serious problems if running back Christian McCaffrey is sidelined for a prolonged period of time.
McCaffrey had to exit the game early with a strained hamstring. He was hurt making a run to the left on first-and-10 from the Texans’ 14-yard line in the second quarter. He appeared to stutter step to avoid the defender and went immediately to the sideline after a 2-yard gain.
McCaffrey stayed in the sideline medical tent for 22 minutes before emerging and heading to the locker room. He walked under his own power with a slight but noticeable limp.
Coach Matt Rhule said after the game that the team does not know the severity of McCaffrey’s injury. The star running back will undergo additional test.
McCaffrey came into Thursday’s game leading the NFL in scrimmage yards, which he also did two seasons ago. He missed thirteen games last year with various injuries. The Panthers stumbled to a record of 5-11 in his absence, which was also coach Rule’s inaugural year.
Rookie Chuba Hubbard, a 2021 fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma State, came in to replace McCaffrey after he was injured. He finished the game with 11 carries for 52 yards and added 3 receptions for 27 yards.
Darnold ran for his first touchdown in the opening moments of the game. He also helped to put the game on ice when he went into the end zone from one yard away, increasing the Panthers lead to 24-9 with just over four minutes remaining in the game, losing his helmet in the process.
Carolina’s defense stopped Houston’s running game before it started, holding them to a minute 42 yards on the ground. That forced Mills into much harder downs and distances, and forced the Texans to kick the ball away six times.
The one bright spot for the Texans was veteran wide receiver Branden Cooks, who finished the night with 9 catches for 112 yards.
Anthony Miller scored the only touchdown of the night for Houston on a one-yard reception thirty seconds before halftime. Former Panther kicker Joey Slye was up to his old tricks, missing the extra point attempt.
Tommy Tremble ran untouched into the end zone from seven yards out to put the Panthers ahead 14-6 in the third quarter. The teams went on to trade field goals.
Early in the third quarter, the Panthers lost corner back Jaycee Horn to a non-contact injury to his right foot. Horn was taken to the locker room on a cart. It was later determined that he had suffered a broken foot. There is no immediate timetable on how long he will be out of commission. Panther safety Juston Burris also departed the game with a groin injury.
The 3-0 Panthers will face the 1-1 Dallas Cowboys in a Week 4 matchup. Dallas will host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.
