Panthers vs. Texans Total Prediction
One week after leading the Panthers to victory in Arizona, Kyle Allen will draw another start on Sunday when Carolina heads to Houston to take on the Texans at 1:00 p.m. ET. Is the total for this matchup set too low?
Game Snapshot
251 Carolina Panthers (+4) at 252 Houston Texans (-4); O/U 46.5
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 29, 2019
NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Public Betting Trends
According to our NFL Football Public Betting Chart page, the Texans are receiving 68% of the betting tickets from online sportsbooks.
Carolina Panthers Fantasy Spin
The Athletic’s Joseph Person reports Cam Newton (foot) is dealing with a Lisfranc injury. Although his timetable is unclear, multiple sources told Person that surgery isn’t planned for Newton at this time; the fact it’s even been mentioned is concerning. A non-surgical approach to recovery from Lisfranc normally takes 4-8 weeks to heal. If the Panthers choose to keep Newton out beyond their Week 7 bye, he’ll be sidelined for the next three games with potential to return in late-October (at best). At this point, it would not be shocking to see him shutdown for the second consecutive season. Kyle Allen will continue to start in his absence.
Houston Texans Fantasy Spin
Deshaun Watson completed 25-of-34 passes for 351 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the Texans’ 27-20, Week 3 win over the Chargers. Watson was more-or-less brilliant whenever he was given even a decent amount of time to throw. Even when he wasn’t, Watson usually proved to be too elusive for the Chargers’ pass rush to bring down. The Texans’ franchise QB managed to complete chunk plays to each of Kenny Stills (38 yards), DeAndre Hopkins (34), Will Fuller (30) and Jordan Akins (53). The latter touchdown was particularly absurd. Continue to fire up Watson as a high-end QB1 for next week’s cozy home matchup against the Panthers.
NFL Betting Trends
Carolina
The over is 22-5 in the Panthers’ last 27 games played on fieldturf and is 35-16-2 in their last 53 games versus a team with a winning record.
Houston
The under is 5-0 in the Texans’ last five home games and is 4-1 in their last five games overall.
Prediction
The Texans still have issues along their offensive line but even without protection, Watson continues to carve up opposing defenses. As Rotoworld noted above, Watson continues to take shots deep and connect with his lethal receivers, mainly Hopkins, who should have another big day against a Carolina defense that has had issues in pass defense the past two years. Meanwhile, Allen proved more than capable of moving the Panthers’ offense last week in Arizona. Granted, the Cardinals have a below-average defense, especially without star corner Patrick Peterson (suspension). Still, with Christian McCaffrey and Greg Olsen at his disposal, Allen did a nice job stirring the ship.
NFL Week 4 Prediction: Panthers/Texans UNDER 46.5