Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans Player Props (9/23/21)

On paper, the Thursday Night Football matchup in Week 3 does not appear to be an exciting one. However, I thought the same about the game last week, and we got an electric showdown between Washington and the Giants that ended 30-29 with a last-second Dustin Hopkins field goal. The Panthers are currently favored by 8 points, and while this certainly doesn’t figure to be the most watchable game of the week, that doesn’t mean there can’t be a betting opportunity in terms of player props. You can use the player prop search below to type in any name and props will pop up alongside updated odds.

Robby Anderson Over 43.5 Receiving Yards, Longest Reception Over 18.5 yards

It’s been a slow start to the season for Robby Anderson with just four catches for 95 yards in two games, but he gets a great matchup against the Texans here. Regardless of whether or not Anderson is matched up with Vernon Hargreaves or Terrance Mitchell on the outside, Anderson should be able to succeed. We also know he can break this yardage total on just one play, as he showed on a 57-yard reception in Week 1. Sam Darnold knows how to unleash Anderson’s deep threat ability from their time together with the Jets. With that deep threat ability, there could be some value on Anderson’s longest reception over 18.5 yards, as well.

Christian McCaffrey Over 134.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards

Through two games this season, Christian McCaffrey is averaging 162 yards from scrimmage per game. He has also faced two defenses in the Jets and Saints, who ranked inside the top ten for the fewest rushing yards allowed per game last season. This week, CMC faces a Texans’ defense that allowed 160.2 rushing yards per game last year, the most in the NFL. McCaffrey is also heavily utilized as a receiver with 15 targets through the first two games of the season – only 25 players have more so far this year. McCaffrey is a versatile offensive weapon who should surpass this number quite easily against one of the worst defenses in the NFL.

Davis Mills Over 0.5 Interceptions, Under 1.5 Passing Touchdowns

I never love the idea of a rookie making his debut against the defense allowing the fewest yards per game in the NFL, and I especially don’t love that when the rookie is a player who I was not the least bit sold on coming into the draft. Davis Mills completed just 44% of his passes and threw an interception against the Browns last week, and while he showed some poise after being thrust into action, it’s not fair to have high expectations for him. That’s especially true when he’s playing in a very limited offense. Carolina should be able to secure an interception and I’d be shocked if Mills registered multiple passing touchdowns in this game.

CAR Panthers Defense Anytime TD Scorer +350

The Panthers don’t have a defensive touchdown so far this season, but that could change on Thursday night against Davis Mills. Whether it is a pick-six or a fumble returned for a touchdown, the Panthers’ defense is full of athletes at all three levels. Carolina has done a great job of retooling its defense with youth, and at +350, I love the odds for one of their rising stars to make a big splash play in primetime.

As the fantasy football world collectively tanked Brandin Cooks in fantasy drafts, I remained somewhat bullish on him as I thought he would be very necessary to the Texans’ offense. Well, Cooks has become Mr. Necessary as he has 21 targets through two games – no other player has more than six, and his 14 catches make up over 35% of the team’s total. I’m not bullish on Mills in a tough matchup, but he’s going to be throwing the ball plenty. The Panthers are favored by 8 points, which means the prospect of some late garbage time, and Cooks will be involved as there just aren’t many other places to look.