4 key early matchups for Panthers CB Jaycee Horn in 2021
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers at Houston Texans
- Potential matchup – Brandin Cooks
Jaycee Horn gets his first taste of playing in prime time when the Carolina Panthers travel to the Houston Texans in Week 3. This represents an outstanding chance for the organization to pick up a valuable road win in front of a national audience, providing things have gone according to plan over the first fortnight of the campaign.
It doesn’t appear as if Deshaun Watson will be under center for the Texans. The quarterback is currently in the midst of some concerning legal accusations and even if he is exonerated between now and the start of the season, the former Clemson star has made his feelings about wanting out more than clear.
Houston may have admitted defeat after spending a third-round pick to select Davis Mills. They have Tyrod Taylor on the roster to fill the void until the Stanford product is ready to take over, but this is a far cry from the production Watson gave the franchise in 2020.
Much of the responsibility in the passing game will fall on the shoulders of Brandin Cooks, who is seen more as a deep threat and someone that Donte Jackson and Horn will share responsibility covering. Keeping the speedy wideout quiet should maximize Carolina’s chances of picking up the victory, with little else on offense coming with anything to be concerned about.
It would be a big surprise if the Panthers weren’t able to get a positive result in this one. If Horn and Jackson can lock down Cooks between them, the stronger their chances will be.