Cam Newton threw for two touchdowns and scored an impressive rushing touchdown in the Panthers win over the Texans. (Getty)
Final Score
Houston Texans 3-0-7-7 — 17
Carolina Panthers 0-10-7-7 — 24
Panthers Stop Mallett, Texans and Move to 2-0
Ryan Mallett’s comeback fell just shy in Carolina. (Getty)
The Carolina Panthers held off the late-awakening Houston Texans offense and their quarterback Ryan Mallett, escaping with a 24-17 win at home on Sunday afternoon in a wild finish.
Mallett had an intentional grounding penalty called with 17 seconds remaining, pushing the Texans back 10 yards to the Carolina 26-yard line and giving them a third-and-long situation. After a short gain, Mallett just barely overthrew DeAndre Hopkins in the back of the endzone on fourth down, for what would have been a game-tying touchdown. Instead, the Texans dropped to 0-2 while Carolina improved to 2-0.
The Panthers, who rode their defense to a Week 1 win over the Jaguars, saw a bit more of a dynamic offensive performance from their star quarterback Cam Newton this week. Newton, who started off slowly for Carolina, finished 18-37 for 195 yards and two touchdowns through the air to go along with an interception. Newton also flipped for an incredible athletic touchdown score in the third quarter.
Mallett finished 27-58 for 24 yards, a touchdown and an interception in his first start of the season.
Mallett Rushes for Score, Cuts Into Panthers Lead
Ryan Mallett ran for a 6-yard touchdown, cutting the Texans deficit to 24-17 late in the fourth quarter.
Newton, Brown Hookup for Big Touchdown to Increase Carolina’s Lead
Cam Newton and Corey Brown connected on a 36-yard touchdown on a dime by Cam Newton. The Panthers lead 24-10 midway through the fourth quarter following Newton’s second touchdown throw of the day and third TD overall.
Newton Leaps for 2-Yard Touchdown to Give Carolina Lead in Third
With just over a minute to go in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium, Cam Newton scored from two yards out to give the Panthers a 17-10 lead over the Texans with a phenomenally athletic leap and spin over defenders and into the endzone.
Mallett, Texans Pull Even In Carolina
Ryan Mallett went 7-7 on a 13-play, 80-yard touchdown drive capped by a 7-yard pass to Garrett Graham in the back of the endzone. It’s now tied at 10 apiece in Carolina.
Carolina Gains a Bit of Rhythm in Slow First Half
The Panthers’ Graham Gano connected on a 28-yard field goal on Sunday against the Texans. (Getty)
The Panthers held a 10-3 lead at the half over the Texans in a contest that has not featured stellar play from either team.
The Panthers main highlight, a 25-yard pass by Cam Newton to Ted Ginn for a touchdown, was followed on the next drive by a Graham Gano field goal. Following that, Newton threw an interception to Rahim Moore late in the half.
Ryan Mallett, who was effective for the Texans in last week’s fourth quarter against the Chiefs, has been far from effective today. Mallett is 11-28 for 74 yards.
Newton is 13-25 for 11 yards to go along with his touchdown and interception. Ginn leads the Panthers receiving corps with three catches for 37 yards.
Gano Increases Panthers Lead
Graham Gano made a 28-yard field goal to increase the Panthers’ lead to 10-3 with a little more than five minutes remaining in the first half.
Newton Hits Ginn to Get Panthers on the Board
Cam Newton fired a beautiful 25-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn, Jr. to give Carolina a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter. Newton is 6-13 for 44 yards in addition to the score.
Opening Quarter Comes to an End
Cam Newton and the Panthers started off slow. (Getty)
After a slow start by Cam Newton and the Panthers offense, the first quarter ended with the quarterback and Carolina driving in Houston territory.
Bullock Gets Texans on the Board First
Randy Bullock hit a 43-yard field goal to get the Texans on the board in Carolina. It’s 3-0 Houston.
Newton, Mallett Both Stall in Opening Drives
Cam Newton and the Panthers stalled on their first possession, punting to the Texans and Ryan Mallett. Houston gave the ball right back.
Game Preview
Star Linebacker Luke Kuechly No. 59) of the Panthers is doubtful against the Texans this week after suffering a concussion in Week 1.
The Panthers have fielded a top-10 defense each of the last three years. They rode their opening week win over Jacksonville on the coattails of their defense. So don’t expect them to stop now as they face Houston at home in Week 2.
The only potential setback for Carolina might me the loss of middle linebacker (and best defensive player) Luke Kuechly. He left in the second quarter of the Week 1 win with a concussion and is doubtful for this Sunday’s game.
On the Texans side of the field, they have an old-fashioned early season quarterback controversy already in full swing.
Ryan Mallett will start on Sunday, after leading the Houston offense nicely in the fourth quarter of a Week 1 loss to the Chiefs to a touchdown drive. Brian Hoyer, the game’s starter under center for the Texans before he was pulled late, will sit this one out.
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