By: Jordan Sharp
Year two
Of the handful of Saturday preseason games, we feature the Texans and Panthers from Carolina. Houston comes into the season as an NFL futures odds darling while Carolina is perceived to be on their second straight rebuilding season.
NFL odds makers for this preseason game favor the Panthers by -2 ½. While it remains to be seen which team will play their starters longer, we should get a good look at Cam Newton’s sophomore swagger and at a Texans' offense that was the equivalent of the walking wounded last season.
Coming back
The Texans couldn’t catch a break last season. Andre Johnson was hurt for most of the season, Arian Foster was hurt at the beginning of the year, and Matt Schaub went down near the end. Even though they lost all their offensive threats, Houston still made it to the playoffs, where they beat the Bengals.
The Texans come into this season as the team with the second best chance to win the AFC - just behind the Patriots, the undisputed favorites. I am very high on Houston this season. They arguably have the best defense in the NFL, and their offense is full of weapons, especially in their running game.
Year two
Cam Newton broke a lot of rookie records last season, not to mention the single season rushing touchdown record for quarterbacks with 14. While I don’t see him getting 14 rushing touchdowns again, Newton is poised for another great season.
Most are projecting lower totals for Newton in 2012, and I couldn’t disagree more. Even though I think seven or eight rushing touchdowns are more believable for 2012, I think Newton will remain in the 4,000 yards passing area, and probably throw for around 25 TDs.
The Panthers are stacked at running back, which will be the main reason Newton won’t match last year’s numbers, but I think he will get close. If Steve Smith can have another comeback season, and the rest of the Panther’s somewhat unknown receiving corps can come through, this will be another great building season for Carolina; might even make them a .500 football team.
The Sharp Pick
Even though the Texans are a much better team, the Panthers are favored. Seeing as the Texans already have injury paranoia, I like the Panthers in this one. They have depth at running back, and unlike the Texans’ depth, they don’t rely on all three of their guys.
Ben Tate and Arian Foster are key to the Texans. The Panthers have three “starting,” running backs, and they also have two rookies they will want to get a look at in the backfield. On top of that, the Panthers have eight rookie wide receivers on their roster. That isn’t something to brag about, but they will want to get a look at all of their offensive rookies, which could cause for more chances to beat the Texans, who at that point will be trying out practice squad guys. I like the Panthers at home.
My Pick: Panthers -2 ½
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