Best Bets For 2021 TNF Week 3: Carolina Panthers Vs. Houston Texans

  • The Carolina Panthers are favored by 8.0-points over the Houston Texans.
  • The Texans’ first-quarter team total is set at 0.5 points with -115 odds on both sides.
  • D.J. Moore’s reception total is set at 5.5 with the OVER being a slight betting underdog.

HOUSTON – The Houston Texans will host the Carolina Panthers for Thursday Night Football but will be heavy underdogs in the matchup. Davis Mills will make his NFL debut at quarterback which seemingly puts the team at a severe disadvantage.

Betting The Spread: 8.0 Points

Prior to the beginning of the 2021-2022 NFL season, online gambling sites expected the Houston Texans to be the worst team in the league. Through two weeks of play, however, the Texans' have overachieved but will now start a rookie quarterback against an impressive Carolina Panthers team.

Panthers Vs. Texans Spread Odds

  • Carolina Panthers -8.0 -110
  • Houston Texans +8.0 -110

Davis Mills will have a huge impact on the game, but considering his 8-18 passing, 102 yards, one touchdown, and one interception performance in Week 2, he could be detrimental to his own team's success. The Panthers have been lighting it up this season, outscoring opponents 45-21 this year, and are in a great spot to improve to 3-0 straight up and against the spread.

Houston Texans First Quarter Team Total

The Texans may not see much success throughout the game, but one area they’ve excelled in is putting points on the board early in the game. The Texans are tied as the highest-scoring first-quarter team with an average of 10.5 points per game.

Total First Quarter Texans Points

  • OVER 0.5 -115
  • UNDER 0.5 -115

Even with a new quarterback leading the offense, this line seems a bit disrespectful to what’s been one of the NFL’s best first-quarter teams. NFL betting sites may have simply miscalculated this line.

D.J. Moore Reception Total

D.J. Moore has established himself as the clear favorite target for Sam Darnold in the Panthers’ offense. He at least is tied for the team lead in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns. However, his receptions total is expected to be a season-worst performance.

D.J. Moore Reception Total

  • OVER 5.5 -110
  • UNDER 5.5 -120

Moore has had at least six receptions in each game this season and has seen a total of 19 targets. It seems a bit suspicious that sports betting sites are anticipating the Texans’ defense to be his toughest matchup. Take the OVER on this wager as it’s worth the risk.

The game begins at 8:20 p.m. EST on the ABC Network.