Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers: Week 2 Prediction

Sep 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Panthers defeat the Jaguars 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

A game that will be played between two teams struggling for an identity. Will the Carolina Panthers hold serve at home despite their injuries or did the Houston Texans make the necessary adjustments to get things rolling?

Injury News

Luke Kuechly out with a concussion

Losing a good player is bad enough. Losing the best player on the team is something else entirely. Already nursing the Kelvin Benjamin loss, Carolina must forge on without cornerstone linebacker Luke Kuechly who was sidelined in week 1 with a concussion. It will be very interesting to see how that defense responds without him.

Duane Brown uncertain due to hand injury

The Texans offensive line is going through a bit of a gut check. Already guard Xavier Su’a Filo is out and concerns linger that Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown is in danger of missing the game as well, nursing a hand injury. At the present he’s questionable and might be a game-time decision.

Key Matchups

J.J. Watt vs. Mike Remmers

The Panthers offensive line has undergone some struggles dating back to last season and had hope 2015 would be a better one. Their right tackle Mike Remmers is about to see how far they’ve come as he’ll draw the monumental assignment of trying to block superstar pass rusher J.J. Watt. It’s easily the biggest matchup of his career.

Alfred Blue vs. David Mayo

If Houston is smart, and head coach Bill O’Brien is then they need to do everything they can to exploit the absence of Luke Kuechly. That means running the ball between the tackles, forcing his replacement in rookie David Mayo to make the plays. Alfred Blue will be a huge determining factor in this game.

Fantasy Advice

Sit: Cam Newton

He managed just 158 passing yards in week 1 against a defense that really wasn’t all that good. Now Cam Newton has to deal with a Texans front featuring Watt and Wilfork among others with no quality receivers to throw to? That scenario screams for a fantasy benching.

Start: DeAndre Hopkins

The sign of a receiver poised for a breakout season is when he’s able to elevate his game in the wake of losing a valuable teammate. That is what happened to DeAndre Hopkins with Andre Johnson. His first game was outstanding (96 yards and 2 TDs) and now he goes against a corner is Charles Tillman who is 34-years old and not known for his speed. If Ryan Mallett gets protection, that is a matchup they can exploit.

Prediction: Texans win 21-14

Beating the Jaguars is something every team can do these days. The Panthers made due without Kelvin Benjamin, leaning on their defense. Now that defense doesn’t have its best player and their offensive line is about to face the best pass rusher on the planet It’s just hard seeing Carolina pull this one out with so many key losses.

Next: 2016 NFL Draft: 5 Sleeper Quarterbacks To Watch

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