Ruled out much earlier in the week, the Carolina Panthers will be without quarterback Cam Newton for a second consecutive game this week in Houston. Coach Ron Rivera and the Panthers will instead lean on backup Kyle Allen for the time being and after an impressive performance last week, confidence is high.
However, this is the Houston Texans – a playoff team in three of the last four seasons – and not a rebuilding franchise led by a rookie quarterback. The Panthers haven’t faced anyone quite like DeSean Watson yet this season and their defense is solid too.