Panthers Edge Texans in Close Contest
Friday, August 28, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Bank of America Stadium
Carolina Panthers 16, Houston Texans 13, final. Our NFL picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Houston Texans vs Carolina Panthers?
Carolina Panthers beat Houston Texans 16-13 at Bank of America Stadium on August 28, 2026.
Who was favored in Houston Texans vs Carolina Panthers?
Houston Texans were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -125 (about 56% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Carolina Panthers secured a narrow victory over the Houston Texans, finishing the game with a score of 16-13. This win marks an important moment for the Panthers, who improved their home record to 4-1, while the Texans fell to 0-4 on the road this season.
The Panthers entered this game with a 3-1 record at home, showcasing a solid performance in front of their fans at Bank of America Stadium. Their recent form has been mixed, with a record of 5-5 over their last ten games, but they managed to snap a two-game losing streak with this victory. Throughout their last five games, the Panthers averaged 21.0 points scored while allowing 23.8 points per game.
On the other hand, the Texans have struggled significantly this season, particularly in away games, where they now hold a record of 0-4. Despite an overall record of 0-3 on the road, they had previously shown promise with an 8-2 record over their last ten games, although they are currently on a two-game losing streak. During their last five outings, the Texans averaged 21.6 points scored while allowing 23.2 points.
In terms of injuries, the Panthers faced challenges with several key players. Jonathon Brooks and Chuba Hubbard were both listed as questionable due to general soreness and a hamstring issue, respectively. Additionally, Taylor Moton was ruled out with an illness, while Brady Christensen and Bam Martin-Scott were on injured reserve due to hamstring injuries. The Texans also dealt with significant injuries, including Tank Dell, Sam Hagen, and Braden Smith, all on injured reserve. Brevin Jordan and Jadeveon Clowney were listed as questionable, which could have impacted their performance.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had the Texans favored by 1.5 points with a total set at 37.5. The odds reflected the Texans' struggles on the road, despite their overall performance in the league. The spread indicated that the matchup was expected to be closely contested, which ultimately played out as the game concluded.
The game conditions were typical for a late August evening, contributing to the competitive atmosphere at the stadium. Fans witnessed a game that highlighted the resilience of the Panthers, who managed to capitalize on their home-field advantage.
Viewers were treated to a matchup that showcased defensive strategies from both teams, with the Panthers managing to outlast the Texans in a game that featured several key moments and a tightly fought battle for field position. The Panthers' ability to maintain composure in critical moments ultimately led them to victory, while the Texans will need to regroup as they continue to seek their first win of the season.
What we said beforehand
The Carolina Panthers will face off against the Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium on August 28, 2026. This matchup is particularly noteworthy as the Panthers have a home record of 2-1, while the Texans are struggling with an away record of 0-2. The game will kick off at 23:00 UTC, and the weather is expected to be warm, with a temperature of 82°F, a 66% chance of precipitation, and wind gusts reaching 7 mph.
In their recent performances, the Panthers have had a mixed bag of results. In their last five games, they have won two and lost three. Their most recent game was a victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where they won 34-17. Prior to that, they faced losses against the Buffalo Bills (14-29) and the Los Angeles Rams (31-34). Overall, the Panthers have averaged 21.0 points scored and allowed 23.8 points in their last five outings. At home, they have scored an average of 21.5 points while allowing 23.4 points over their last ten games.
On the other hand, the Texans have struggled recently, losing their last two games against the Los Angeles Chargers (7-27) and the Las Vegas Raiders (20-22). They have won three of their last five games, including a notable victory against the Indianapolis Colts (38-30). Their scoring average in the last five games is 21.6 points, while they have allowed 23.2 points. Despite their recent struggles, the Texans have an impressive away record of 4-0 this season.
In terms of injuries, both teams have several players listed as questionable. For the Panthers, Devin Lloyd (knee), Haynes King (hamstring), Xavier Legette (ankle), Chuba Hubbard (hamstring), and Jaelan Phillips (arm) are all uncertain for the game. The Texans also have key players on the injury report, including Ali Gaye (knee), Jadeveon Clowney (ankle), and Braden Smith (foot), all listed as questionable. Additionally, Dylan Horton (Achilles) and Marte Mapu (undisclosed) are on injured reserve.
The betting market has set the odds with DraftKings, favoring the Texans by 1.5 points on the spread. The total points for the game is set at 36.5, with over odds at -115 and under odds at -105. The moneyline reflects the Texans at -125 and the Panthers at +104.
As the teams prepare for this matchup, viewers should watch for the performance of key players, particularly Carolina's Kenny Pickett, who has thrown for 137 yards and one touchdown in recent games. For Houston, Davis Mills has thrown for 93 yards in his last outing. The outcome of this game could hinge on the effectiveness of each team's offense and their ability to capitalize on the opponent's defensive weaknesses.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | HOU -1.5 | 37.5 o -105 / u -115 | Houston Texans -125 · Carolina Panthers +104 |
Injury report
- Jonathon BrooksQuestionableGeneral SorenessCarolina Panthers
- Brady ChristensenInjured ReserveHamstringCarolina Panthers
- Chuba HubbardQuestionableHamstringCarolina Panthers
- Bam Martin-ScottInjured ReserveHamstringCarolina Panthers
- Taylor MotonOutIllnessCarolina Panthers
- Tank DellInjured ReserveKnee - ACL + MCLHouston Texans
- Sam HagenInjured ReserveUndisclosedHouston Texans
- Braden SmithInjured ReserveFootHouston Texans
- Brevin JordanQuestionableKneeHouston Texans
- Jadeveon ClowneyQuestionableAnkleHouston Texans
Leaders
- Passing yardsKyle Trask19/28, 147 YDS, 1 INTCarolina Panthers
- Rushing yardsAnthony Tyus III10 CAR, 41 YDSCarolina Panthers
- Receiving yardsJa'seem Reed2 REC, 37 YDSCarolina Panthers
- Passing yardsBrett Rypien13/23, 101 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INTHouston Texans
- Rushing yardsDeuce Vaughn12 CAR, 36 YDSHouston Texans
- Receiving yardsJosh Kelly3 REC, 36 YDSHouston Texans
Recent form
Carolina Panthers
Last 10: 5-5Streak W121.5 scored · 23.4 allowed per game2-1 at home
- W34-17at Jacksonville JaguarsAug 21
- L14-29at Buffalo BillsAug 15
- W33-30at Arizona CardinalsAug 7
- L14-16at Tampa Bay BuccaneersJan 3
- L10-27vs Seattle SeahawksDec 28
- W23-20vs Tampa Bay BuccaneersDec 21
- L17-20at New Orleans SaintsDec 14
- W31-28vs Los Angeles RamsNov 30
- L9-20at San Francisco 49ersNov 25
- W30-27at Atlanta FalconsNov 16
Houston Texans
Last 10: 8-2Streak L222.7 scored · 19.4 allowed per game4-0 away
- L20-22vs Las Vegas RaidersAug 21
- L7-27vs Los Angeles ChargersAug 14
- W38-30vs Indianapolis ColtsJan 4
- W20-16at Los Angeles ChargersDec 27
- W23-21vs Las Vegas RaidersDec 21
- W40-20vs Arizona CardinalsDec 14
- W20-10at Kansas City ChiefsDec 8
- W20-16at Indianapolis ColtsNov 30
- W23-19vs Buffalo BillsNov 21
- W16-13at Tennessee TitansNov 16
Standings
| Team | Lost | Points against | Points for | Tied | Win % | Won | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | 1 | 54 | 60 | 0 | .667 | 2 | 2-1 |
| Tennessee | 1 | 53 | 53 | 0 | .667 | 2 | 2-1 |
| Indianapolis | 2 | 72 | 35 | 1 | .167 | 0 | 0-2-1 |
| Houston | 3 | 65 | 40 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0-3 |
| Carolina | 1 | 89 | 97 | 0 | .750 | 3 | 3-1 |
| Tampa Bay | 1 | 50 | 40 | 0 | .667 | 2 | 2-1 |
| Atlanta | 1 | 45 | 58 | 0 | .667 | 2 | 2-1 |
| New Orleans | 2 | 82 | 47 | 0 | .333 | 1 | 1-2 |
Box score
| Stat | Houston Texans | Carolina Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 13 | 17 |
| First downs passing | 8 | 11 |
| First downs rushing | 3 | 4 |
| First downs by penalty | 2 | 2 |
| Third downs | 2-12 | 6-17 |
| Fourth downs | 2-2 | 1-2 |
| Offensive plays | 58 | 69 |
| Total yards | 173 | 288 |
| Yards per play | 3.0 | 4.2 |
| Drives | 11 | 11 |
| Net passing yards | 92 | 189 |
| Completions | 16/30 | 24/36 |
| Yards per pass | 2.7 | 5.1 |
| Interceptions thrown | 2 | 1 |
| Sacks allowed | 4-27 | 1-6 |
| Rushing yards | 81 | 99 |
| Rushing attempts | 24 | 32 |
| Yards per rush | 3.4 | 3.1 |
| Red zone trips | 1-1 | 1-4 |
| Penalties | 3-19 | 12-103 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 1 |
| Fumbles lost | 2 | 0 |
| Defensive touchdowns | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 26:28 | 33:32 |
Win probability
Above the line favours Carolina Panthers, below favours Houston Texans.
Venue
- Bank of America StadiumCharlotte, NC
- Attendance72041
- OfficialsSarah Thomas, Brad Allen, Chad Hill, Anthony Flemming, Walter Flowers, Tyree Walton, Marcus Woods
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