Texans total two second-half picks, secure 20-3 victory over Panthers
C.J. Stroud found Nico Collins for a 6-yard touchdown in the first quarter to give the Houston Texans a 7-0 lead over the Carolina Panthers. That set the tone for the rest of the afternoon at NRG Stadium en route to a Houston 20-3 victory to move to 1-1 in the preseason.
Rookie cornerback Jaylin Smith recorded his first interception, while Damon Arnette's pick in the fourth quarter led to a 1-yard touchdown run from British Brooks. Defensively, Mario Edwards Jr. headlined a front seven that finished with five sacks on the day.
Stroud, who played nearly the entire first quarter, completed 6-of-8 pass attempts for 44 yards and a score. Christian Kirk was the most consistent weapon, hauling in two passes for 23 yards.
The Texans will close out their preseason on the road against the Detroit Lions next Saturday. From there, rosters must be trimmed down to 53 en route to the Week 1 showdown against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
But, how did we get here on Saturday in front of over 47,000 fans in attendance? Let's review.
Final from NRG Stadium
Stuffed again
The Texans' defense has bent, but not broken, on Saturday against Carolina's offense. Once again, Jack Plummer couldn't put the Panthers into the end zone. And this time, Ryan Fitzgerald's 49-yard field goal attempt wasn't good.
A TD from across the pond
British Brooks from a yard out has the Texans up by 17. Houston now has its fourth-team unit in, but it looks promising to close out a stellar Saturday afternoon.
Another pick!
Entering the fourth quarter, Damon Arnette picked off Jack Plummer in the red zone to set up the Texans deep in Carolina territory.
Rookie making plays
Jaylin Smith has his first interception of his career. It won't count, but it still is promising to see the third-round pick making plays in front of the hometown crew.
Another score
Slovis and Irv Smith connected three times to put Houston in field goal range. It's a 10-point lead for the Texans midway through the third quarter.
Welcome third-team!
Welcome to the third quarter, where starters and the second-team units are out, though rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are still seeing reps because of their youth. Kedon Slovis is in at quarterback.
Top Performers
HALFTIME STATS
Texans strike before the half
With just over a minute left in the first half, Davis Mills connected on two pass attempts -- and benefitted from two holding calls -- to put Houston inside Carolina's 23. Ka'imi Fairbairn drilled the easy 41-yarder to give Houston the seven-point lead once more.
The Texans will start off on offense for the second half.
Panthers on the board
Two pressures on third down led to a 52-yard field goal from Ryan Fitzgerald to put the Panthers on the board. Houston still leads 7-3.
All starters out
It's all about the backups now. The Texans' offense went three-and-out with Davis Mills running the show on back-to-back drives. Jack Plummer has a bit more success against Houston's second-team defense, but only enough to call it a slight advantage.
Blake Fisher hurt
Offensive tackle Blake Fisher went into the medical tent following the third drive of the offense, holding his lower body. Fisher, who's struggled this preseason, did emerge from the blue tent and was stretching, but the Texans didn't clarify if he would return to the ensuing drive.
Starters stick in for one more drive
While the Panthers went to Andy Dalton, the Texans' starting defense stayed in for one more drive. Nothing changed as Dalton needed six plays to lead to a punt. After that, it was made clear that only Henry To'oTo'o and M.J. Stewart would stay in the game for the rest of the first half.
7 to 12: A common theme from 2024
Back like they never left, Nico Collins and C.J. Stroud moved their way down the field to secure a 7-0 lead on a 6-yard touchdown reception. Christian Kirk was impressive with two catches for 13 yards, while running back Nick Chubb totaled 23 yards on the drive. With that, Houston's starters at the skill position should be done for the afternoon.
Stroud likely will finish 6-of-8 for 44 yards and the easy score.
Defensive line delivers again
Another three-and-out for the Texans, ending with two pressures against Bryce Young and a sack from Mario Edwards Jr. In seven snaps, Houston has pressured Young on four. On the return, Jaylin Noel took it back 28 yards, but a holding call against Jaylin Smith negated the big gain from Houston's rookie receiver.
Stroud goes quick in....and then out
C.J. Stroud did get the start and immediately connected with Christian Kirk for a 6-yard pickup. On thrid-and-2, Nico Collins was open for an easy score against Michael Jackson in coverage, but Stroud's pass just missed the outstretch Pro Bowl receiver for a quick three-and-out.
Defense delivers....and should have scored
On the opening play, Bryce Young overshot second-year receiver Xavier Leggette, leading to an easy interception by All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. He returned it 31 yards, setting up the Texans' offense inside Carolina's 30. The only problem? Will Anderson was called for a holding penalty against Chubba Hubbard.
The Texans would force a three-and-out after the free first down.
Starting defense with C.J. out
With C.J. Garder-Johnson still sidelined, here's a look at the Texans' starting defense entering the regular season. Expect M.J. Stewart to get the first crack at the starting role.
Texans take the field
Sting Island indeed
C.J. Stroud to play?
It looks like Stroud will be suited up and will see action on Saturday against the Panthers.
Dressed to impress
Here's a look at Christian Kirk, Danielle Hunter, Ka'imi Fairbairn and others arriving at NRG Stadium.
QB1 Arrives Home
C.J. Stroud has arrived at NRG Stadium for the first time in the 2025 NFL season.
Watch Texans vs. Panthers on Fubo (free trial)
TV channel: NFL Network, ABC 13 Houston
Streaming: NFL Network | Fubo (free trial)
The Texans and Panthers will air live on NFL Network, but it will also air locally on ABC 13 in Houston. It's been announced that Bryce Young, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick, will start for Carolina and will likely play the entire first half of the game. For the Texans, only partial starters will see action, so fans should expect to see C.J. Stroud, Nick Chubb, Danielle Hunter, Nico Collins or others on the field in Houston at NRG Stadium.
In addition to airing live on NFL Network and the aforementioned channels, the Texans-Panthers game will also re-air on NFL Network on Sunday at 10 p.m. CT. The NFL Network will re-air the game one final time on Friday, August 23, at 11 a.m. CT.
Additionally, out-of-market fans can stream the game live on NFL+.
Texans vs. Panthers start time
Date: Saturday, August 16
Time: Noon CT
Kickoff for the Texans' preseason opener against the Vikings is scheduled for Noon CT, as the two sides gather at NRG Stadium for the showdown between former Kyle Shanahan assistants. Do not expect many of the Texans' starters to get reps in this one since DeMeco Ryans usually prefers to have his starters see reps in the joint practices that begin on Thursday against the Detroit Lions out in Allen Park.
Streaming options for the game include the NFL Network and Fubo, which offers a free trial.
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Texans preseason schedule 2025
Below is Houston's preseason schedule.
Saturday, August 9: at Minnesota Vikings - L 20-10
Saturday, August 16: vs. Carolina Panthers
Saturday, August 23: at Detroit Lions
Texans' regular-season schedule 2025
Below is Houston's regular-season schedule.
Week 1: Sunday, September 7, 3:45 p.m. CT: at Los Angeles Rams
Week 2: Monday, September 15, 6 p.m. CT: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ()
Week 3: Sunday, September 21, Noon CT: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 4: Sunday, September 28, Noon CT: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week 5: Sunday, October 5, Noon CT: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 6: Sunday, October 12: Bye Week
Week 7: Monday, October 20, 9 p.m. CT: at Seattle Seahawks ()
Week 8: Sunday, October 26, Noon CT: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 9: Sunday, November 2, Noon CT: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 10: Sunday, November 9, Noon CT: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 11: Sunday, November 16, Noon CT: at Tennessee Titans
Week 12: Thursday, November 20, 7:20 p.m. CT: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 13: Sunday, November 30, Noon CT: at Indianapolis Colts
Week 14: Sunday, December 7, 7:20 p.m. CT: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 15: Sunday, December 14, Noon CT: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 16: Sunday, December 21 at 3:20 p.m. CT: vs.Las Vegas Raiders
Week 17: TBD: at Los Angeles Chargers.
Week 18: TBD: vs. Indianapolis Colts
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans total two second-half picks, secure 20-3 victory over Panthers
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