What: Texans @ Panthers

When: 10/29, 12pm CST kickoff

Where: Charlotte, NC Bank of America Stadium

TV/Radio: KRIV-TV, KILT-Radio

Betting Lines: Texans -3 (-120), O/U 43.5 (-110) *As of this writing

In what's being billed as the 1 vs 2 & 3 matchup of top picks from this past draft, the Texans travel to Charlotte to take on the Panthers. Quarterbacks Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud were the first two picks. Defensive end will Anderson Jr. was the third overall selection. All three players are heavy contributors to their teams. Stroud is a leading candidate for AFC Rookie of the Year. Anderson Jr can still make a case for AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Young missed a game with an injury but hasn't impressed much in the five he has played.

When the Panthers have the ball: This could be a get right game for the Texans defense. The Panthers are winless for two very specific reasons. One of those being they can't score. 19 points a game only works when your defense is the '85 Bears or the '00 Ravens maybe. They average 10 more yards rushing per game than the Texans, but also average about 50 yards less passing per game. The pass rush should be able to get to Young. He gets sacked three times a game on average. The Texans only have nine sacks on the season. It's a good time for old teammates to get reacquainted. Anderson Jr. was Young's teammate at Alabama. He along with Jonathan Grenard and company need to take advantage of a bad offensive line. While the Panthers aren't a run heavy team, they may turn it up a notch knowing Sheldon Rankins is out. Their best bet is to run the ball successfully, and hope play action gives them a pass threat.

When the Texans have the ball: Tank Dell being back in the fold is great news. Robert Woods being out is terrible. Not all is lost. This offense just beat the toughest defense they'll face all year. The Panthers may be without All Pro defensive end Brian Burns who is questionable with an elbow injury. That's great news for the pass heavy Texans. It's also great news for the run game facing a Panthers defense possibly down their best defender, but they also give up almost 150 yards a game on the ground. Giving up that many yards rushing is a reason why they allow a league worst 31 points a game. That's the second reason they're winless. They can't stop teams from scoring! I expect all the weapons and play calling creativity to be on full display in this game. Bobby Slowik is probably licking his chops doing the Birdman hand rub.

Outcome: Well, let's break this down as simply as possible. The Panthers can't score enough points and they give up way too many points. Meanwhile, the Texans can score if they protect their quarterback, and have a good enough defense to keep them in games. Outcome seems pretty straightforward to me. Add in the fact that Stroud probably has a chip on his shoulder by not going number one overall and facing the guy who did. Even if Burns does play, this Texans offensive line shut down the Steelers pass rush and pulled out a win over the tough Saints defense. They'll cover the -3, but I'm leaning on the under since the Panthers are apparently allergic to the end zone. Texans 24, Panthers 13