Final Carolina Panthers game by game predictions for 2021 season

Carolina Panthers at Houston Texans – Week 3

In Week 3, the Carolina Panthers get another scheduling break with their first road game against the Houston Texans.

Houston is a bad team perhaps terrible enough to end the season with the No. 1 overall selection in next year’s draft. This team seemingly has no idea what they are doing or what direction they are heading.

Deshaun Watson looked to be their franchise quarterback and long-term answer in Houston. Now after a teardown, he is demanding his way out despite facing some very serious and concerning accusations.

With the trade demand combined with his off-the-field issues, it is impossible to see Watson returning to the Texans and playing this season.

With this in mind, the Texans now have no clear option at quarterback and a bad offensive line to match their inconsistent defensive unit.

It is hard to see this Texans team winning a game much less against a far superior Carolina roster. This shouldn’t be particularly close for a Panthers’ set-up that is in a much better place after a rebuilding phase of their own over the last two years.

The only caveat to this game is if Watson were to start for Houston. If he does the complexion of this game changes drastically.

Prediction: Carolina Panthers 24 Houston Texans 9 (3-0)