Panthers beat Texans 24-17, move to 2-0

CHARLOTTE, N.C. The Carolina Panthers went into Sunday’s game without their best defensive player while having to play on the other side of the ball against the game’s most impactful defender.

It wasn’t always pretty, and it was surely long, but Carolina won its home opener against the Houston Texans 24-17 to improve to 2-0 on the season.

Even without middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, the Panthers defense held tough against the Texans in Ryan Mallett’s third career start. After a blocked 53-yard field goal attempt for the Panthers, the Texans drove to the 14 before an intentional grounding penalty killed the drive. Mallett’s desperate end zone throw to DeAndre Hopkins couldn’t be hauled in. Defensive end Kony Ealy had two key third-down penalties that prolonged the Houston drive.

Cam Newton finished the day 18 of 37 for 195 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception, which came on a tipped pass by Kevin Norwood.

But it wasn’t just Newton’s arm that helped Carolina to the win. Newton’s nine rushes for 77 yards led all players on the ground, along with his 2-yard touchdown rush that saw him flip in the air.

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