This matchup will feature the first two quarterbacks taken in the 2023 NFL draft when C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to face Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in week 8 of the NFL season with the game airing regionally at 1:00 PM ET on Fox.

The Houston Texans enter this game with a record of 3-3 following a 20-13 win at home against the New Orleans Saints while covering the 2-point spread as a home underdog by winning the game outright in week 6 of the NFL season. Houston scored 20 points while compiling a total of 297 total yards offensively which included 199 passing yards and 120 rushing yards while allowing 13 points and 430 total yards defensively which included 357 passing yards and 89 rushing yards. 

C.J. Stroud led the team in passing, completing 13 of 27 attempts for 199 yards with two touchdowns and an interception while adding two rushing yards. Devin Singletary led the team in rushing with 12 carries for 58 yards while adding a reception for four yards. Nico Collins led the team in receiving, catching four of six targets for 80 yards.

Carolina enters this game with a record of 0-6 following a 21-42 loss on the road against the Miami Dolphins while failing to cover the 14-point spread as a road underdog in week 6 of the NFL season. The Panther scored 21 points while compiling a total of 296 yards offensively which included 224 passing yards and 108 rushing yards while allowing 42 points and 424 total yards defensively which included 262 passing yards and 162 rushing yards. Bryce Young led the team in passing, completing 23 of 38 attempts for 217 yards and a touchdown. Chuba Hubbard led the team in rushing with 19 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown while adding a reception for two yards. Adam Thielen led the team in receiving, catching 11 of 13 targets for 115 yards and a touchdown.

BookMaker has the Houston Texans listed as 3-point favorites on the road against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon in week 8 of the NFL season. Carolina has won four of the six games all-time including the previous four meetings in a row while going 4-2 ATS all-time and 4-0 ATS in the last three games in the series. The Houston Texans are 4-2 ATS overall, 2-1 ATS on the road, and 0-1 ATS as a favorite this season while the Carolina Panthers are 0-5-1 ATS overall, 0-1-1 ATS at home, and 0-5-1 ATS as an underdog on the year.

Carolina has not won a game this season nor have they covered the spread in any of their games on the year going 0-5-1 ATS overall while Houston enters this game with a record of 3-3 and are 4-2 ATS overall. I look for those trends to continue in this matchup which is why I am laying the points with the Houston Texans when they travel to face the Carolina Panthers in week 8 of the NFL season.