If Deshaun Watson plays, Panthers will be in for a barnburner

If Deshaun Watson plays on Thursday Night Football, the Carolina Panthers defense may not be ready.

With Tyrod Taylor being ruled out for Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers, this leaves the door open for Deshaun Watson to potentially play. Davis Mills led a touchdown drive in the game against the Browns but just didn’t have enough to pull out a potential win.

With Watson not having played a snap this entire season, he’s fresh and undoubtedly motivated for a chance to show that he can still sling it. What better time than one of the few primetime games the Texans get all year?

Watson knows the Panthers and the Texans offensive playbook better than anyone else on this team. His cannon of an arm could have Brandin Cooks primed for a big day. Once again, this is not dismissing the fact that Watson won’t play. The allegations are very serious and are awaiting a legal decision.

Deshaun Watson can shift odds in Houston’s favor

There’s no way around it. If Watson does play, then chances of on and off the field (aka betting) become more favored towards Houston. In a matchup of Watson vs. Sam Darnold, you take Watson every.single.time.

Watson has only played the Panthers once and that was a loss. In that game, Watson completed 21 out of 33 passes for 160 yards and no touchdowns. There should be room for improvement this time around, but that’s not if the Panthers defense has anything to say about it.

Carolina’s defense has only allowed an average of 14 points per game through two short weeks. But the less you allow, the better. We’ll see if the Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson can score more than twice come Thursday Night when the bright lights are on the city of Houston.