How to watch Panthers vs. Texans: Week 8

Out of the bye week, the Carolina Panthers have one thing in mind heading into a Week 8 matchup with the Houston Texans: Win.  The Panthers, 0-6, will take on the 3-3 Texans. It is essentially a quarterback bowl between C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young.  Most of the week, the coaches have downplayed the battle […]

Ian Kayanja
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Oct 8, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a touchdown pass to tight end Tommy Tremble (82) (not pictured) against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Feature image via Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Out of the bye week, the Carolina Panthers have one thing in mind heading into a Week 8 matchup with the Houston Texans: Win. 

The Panthers, 0-6, will take on the 3-3 Texans. It is essentially a quarterback bowl between C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young. 

Most of the week, the coaches have downplayed the battle between the two quarterbacks, but it will provide some perspective on where both Young and Stroud sit in their first-year development. Without further ado, let's dive into everything you need to know heading into the game. 

Carolina Panthers (0-6) vs. Houston Texans (3-3)

Date: Sunday, Oct. 29
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
Betting odds: Panthers +3.5, over/under 43.5
How to Watch: FOX
Streaming: YouTube TV, NFL+
Radio: 99.7 FM The Fox

Panthers keys to success  

Winning, for the Panthers, comes down to controlling possessions. The Texans don't turn the ball over often. Stroud has one interception on the season. Frank Reich, Thomas Brown, and the rest of the Panthers coaching staff can't rely on the defense to carry the game. The Panthers need to control the time of possession and keep Stroud off the field if they want to win the game. 

Panthers notable injuries

  • OLB Brian Burns is questionable heading into Sunday's game with an elbow injury. 
  • LB Frankie Luvu is questionable heading into Sunday. 
  • WR Laviska Shenault Jr. did not practice Friday and is out. 

Panthers players to watch

  • QB Bryce Young is coming into a new phase of his rookie season. With Thomas Brown calling the plays, Young said he was "excited" for the change. In a simplified offense, Young has seen some incremental improvement in recent weeks, and against Stroud, he will need to prove himself worthy of the No. 1 pick. 
  • OC Thomas Brown isn't a player, but it will be his first game calling the plays. This will be a real test for Brown, who said that his main goal for his offense is "winning." 
  • RB Chuba Hubbard is coming off a big week prior to the bye week. He has been the better running back compared to Miles Sanders. He will need to tie together another good game if the Panthers are going to have sustainable success come Sunday. 

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