Best prop bets for Texans vs Panthers Thursday Night Football

The Houston Texans head into an very interesting game for their Week 3 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night.

On short rest and coming off a loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Houston Texans have more than a loss to bounce back from as starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been ruled out for their Week 3 game against the Panthers, but even more interesting is rookie Davis Mills is making his first NFL start in front of a primetime audience.

As the Texans are in a complete rebuild mode, each and every game is of great importance not only in the win column, but they need to see which players are progressing and moving into the direction needed to build up the franchise.

This is going to be a fun game to see on Thursday Night Football because Mills won’t have much time to think about how he’s about to make his first NFL start. In facing the Panthers, the Texans will be taking on a team that is 2-0, as they have a defense that’s allowed only 21 points in their first two games combined.

All odds listed come courtesy of WynnBet.

Houston Texans: 3 best prop bets for Thursday night

3.  Davis Mills Total Passing Touchdowns OVER 1.5 (+175)

This is an interesting prop bet because it is basically saying for this to win, the rookie quarterback has to throw at least two touchdown passes against a team that has allowed just 21 total points all season.

It is very tough, but doable, because the Panthers don’t have a ton of film on Mills. With the situation the Houston Texans are in right now, they will most likely stick to the run to set up precise passing opportunities. Don’t rule out short-yardage touchdown throws as the Texans have had those this season with Tyrod Taylor tossing scores to various running backs.

The Panthers defense is allowing only 190 passing yards per game with three interceptions, and their pass rush has 10 sacks in the first two games combined. Most importantly, the Panthers defense has allowed two passing touchdowns all season.

After entering the game last Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, Mills passed for one touchdown, as he found Brandin Cooks on a quick slant play on third-and-goal. Plays like this can happen for the Texans and Mills if they are able to get the ball in the Red Zone against the very good Panthers defense.

This bet is your decision, but on short rest and a team with their backs against the wall – with nothing to lose – Houston’s offense could be poised to take some risks with Mills-to-Cooks, especially now with Nico Collins on the IR. Look for any potential scores to also be had late in the game if the Texans do struggle.

2. Mark Ingram II Total Rushing Yards OVER 36.5 (-125)

This could happen because it only takes one big run for Houston Texans running back Mark Ingram II to achieve this feat, but rushing for 37 or more yards against the Panthers’ defense is much easier said than done.

A veteran like Ingram has the ability to pound his way for 37 yards on the ground against any NFL team, but on short rest, and having a game against the Browns where he had 41 yards on 14 carries – a 2.9 yards per carry average – who knows what we’ll see in this game.

Ingram in Week 1 against the Jaguars totaled 26 carries in the game for 85 yards, averaging 3.3 YPC. Against the Browns in Week 2, Ingram’s best rush was for eight yards.

The Houston Texans will need their rushing game for any chance to win the game against the Panthers, but Carolina has allowed only one rushing score all season and have held their opponents to 93 yards.

This is a risky prop bet, but it is exciting because if Ingram can have a couple decent gains added with his 3.2 ypc average for the season, it could be worth taking that risk, and if nothing else, make this game a little more interesting.

1. Texans First Quarter Spread +0.5 (+105)

All the Houston Texans have to do here is lead by one point at the end of the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday Night Football. Can they do so? Maybe, but for it to happen the Texans will have to have a strong start with their rookie quarterback.

More than Davis Mills playing well in the first quarter against Carolina, the defense of the Texans must show up too and put some pressure on the new-and-improved Sam Darnold.

In Week 1, the Texans held a 14-0 lead at the conclusion of the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Week 2, the Texans were tied with the Cleveland Browns by a 7-7 score, and it was a special teams mishap which gave the Browns excellent field position that led to their touchdown.

Carolina this season has been in a scoreless tie after the first quarter in Week 1 against the New York Jets, and in Week 2 vs. the New Orleans Saints, the Panthers held a 7-0 lead. Can the Texans break this two-game streak to start the season and have a lead against the Panthers? No team has yet, so this could be a coin flip decision for any bettor.

These prop bets are ones that stand out because they are very close calls, and one mistake by the Panthers defense and it could help the Texans in a big way on Thursday Night Football.