The upcoming Panthers game, 12/18/2011

[Arky]

The 10-3 Houston Texans will be hosting the Carolina Panthers this Sunday in an early FOX game. The Texans have won seven in a row and have clinched the AFC South. Although this is a classic late season let-down situation, I expect the Texans to continue to give good effort as they continue working on the education of new QB TJ Yates. Guard Antoine Caldwell will replace Mike Brisiel who is out with a broken leg. The Texan defense will need to keep playing at a high level to keep in check a potent Panther offense. I'm expecting a full house at Reliant and a grateful-to-have-a-winner crowd to urge the team on if/when things get tight.

The 4-9 Carolina Panthers are all about the offense. Led by rookie QB Cam Newton (3,573 yards, 15 TD, 16 INT, 81.1 rating), they rank 5th in total yds/game, 8th in passing and 5th in rushing. By far, Newton's favorite receiver is 11-year vet Steve Smith (67/1,217 yds, 5 TD's). He will also throw to TE's Greg Olsen (43/525 yds, 5 TD) and Jeremy Shockey (30/388 yds, 2 TD), WR Legedu Naanee (40/439 yds, 1 TD), WR Brandon LaFell (31/483 yds, 2 TD) and running back Jonathan Stewart (42/387 yds). Not only do they pass well, they run well. DeAngelo Williams (656, 5.2 ypc, 4 TD), Stewart (551, 4.8 ypc, 3 TD) and Newton himself (554, 5.2 ypc, 13 TD) head the running attack. The Panther defense is 24th in yds/game, 19th in passing and 23rd in rushing. Several times this year, the Panthers have gotten a nice lead early in the game only to choke it away in the second half. The Panthers are 2-4 on the road.

As long as the Texan defense can keep Newton and the Panther offense in check (and it won't be easy), this would be great game to let Yates air it out a bit and let the Texan running backs do their thing.

TV = FOX (channel 26 local), 12 noon CST

Announcers = Ron Pitts, Charles Davis

Favorite = Texans by 6.5 to 7