Panthers vs. Texans NFL Game Capsule

by Jaxon on Dec 15, 2011 4:00 PM EST

CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-9) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (10-3)

SERIES

	PANTHERS	TEXANS
SERIES LEADER		2-0
STREAKS		2-0
COACHES VS. OPP.	Rivera: 0-0	Kubiak: 1-0
LAST WEEK	L 31-23 vs. Falcons	W 20-19 at Bengals
LAST GAME	9/16/07: Texans 34 at Panthers 21. Houston WR Andre Johnson has 7 catches for 120 yards & 2 TDs as Texans score 31 unanswered points in win.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/2/03: Texans 14, Panthers 10. Houston RB Stacey Mack (1-yard run) & TE Billy Miller (20-yard catch) score 2nd-half TDs as Texans defeat Carolina in 1st-ever meeting.
BROADCAST	FOX (12:00 PM CT): Ron Pitts, Jim Mora, Drea Avent (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 136 (Car.), 113 (Hou.). XM: 231 (Hou.).

STATS

PASSING	Newton (R): 270-452-3,573-15-16-81.1	Yates (R): 46-84-558-3-1-82.3
RUSHING	D. Williams: 126-656-5.4-4	Foster: 239-957 (3C)-4.0-8 (T2C)
RECEIVING	S. Smith: 67-1,217 (1C)-18.2-5	Daniels (TE): 51-644-12.6-3
OFFENSE	399.0	378.9 (3C)
TAKE/GIVE	-5	+10 (1C)
DEFENSE	365.4	274.9 (1L)
SACKS	Johnson: 9	Barwin: 9.5
INTs	Gamble, Martin: 3	Allen, Joseph: 4 (T3C)
PUNTING	Baker: 41.7	Turk: 40.5
KICKING	Mare: 89 (32/33 PAT; 19/25 FG)	Rackers: 108 (3C) (36/37 PAT; 24/29 FG)

Notes after the jump

PANTHERS:

Offense averaging 399 yards per game (258.4 last year) & 259.9 pass yards per game (143.1)...

QB CAM NEWTONhas 28 total TDs (15 pass, 13 rush), most by rookie QB inNFLhistory. Has 13 rush TDs, most all-time in season by QB. Has passed for 3,573 yards & is 3rd rookie to pass for 3,500 yards (PEYTON MANNING&SAM BRADFORD)...
RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMShad 74-yard rush TD last week.
WhenRB JONATHAN STEWARThas rush TD, Panthers are 17-4 (.810)...
WR STEVE SMITHleads NFC with 1,217 rec. yards. Reached 10,000-yard mark for career last week (10,101). In last meeting, had 8 catches for 153 yards (19.1 avg.) & tied career-high with 3 TDs. In 2 career games vs. Hou., has 13 catches for 241 yards (120.5 per game) & 4 TDs.
RookieWR-KR KEALOHA PILARESis 3rd in NFC with 27.1 KR avg.
TE GREG OLSENhad TD catch in only game vs. Hou. (12/28/08 with Chi.)...
DE CHARLES JOHNSONhas 17 sacks in past 20. Has 7.5 sacks in past 7 vs. AFC.
CB CHRIS GAMBLEaims for 3rd in row vs. AFC with INT...

TEXANS:

Clinched team's 1st division title & playoff berth in franchise history...Texans have won 7 straight games, longest win streak in AFC...
RookieQBT.J. YATES(5th round, No. 152) passed for career-best 300 yards with 2 TDs last week, incl. game-winning 6-yard TD pass toWR KEVIN WALTER.Yates is 2-0 as starter...
RB ARIAN FOSTER(957) needs 43 rush yards to reach 1,000 for 2nd consecutive season (1,616 in '10). Since '10, Foster hasNFL-best 24 rush TDs. Foster is averaging 97.5 rush yards per game vs. NFC in '11 (48 att., 195 yards).
Foster (957) &RB BEN TATE(820) are onlyNFLRB duo with 800+ rush yards apiece in '11.
WR ANDRE JOHNSONhad 7 catches for 120 yards with 2 TD in last game vs. Car...
TE OWEN DANIELShad season-best 100 receiving yards last week & registered 4th 100-yard receiving game of career.
TE JOEL DREESSENaims for 4th straight game with TD catch...Hou. (36) needs 2 sacks to surpass franchise record of 37 in '05...
LB CONNOR BARWINhas 7.5 sacks in past 5.

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Comments

WHY DO WE ALWAYS GET PITTS AND MORA!!!!

UGH…Pitts is okay (not great), but Mora is just god awful. Didn’t Mora just get hired by UCLA…shouldn’t he be worrying about things other than broadcasting?

"The way y'all are lollygaggin around here with them picks and them shovels, you'd think it was 120 degrees...can't be more than 114."

by SouthernPanther on Dec 15, 2011 4:14 PM EST reply actions

3 straight weeks...

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 15, 2011 4:21 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, Mora just likes to criticize and ridicule

Glad he is gone after this season. Hopefully, once Carolina starts winning more games they can get a more reputable broadcaster calling the games. Oh damn, I forgot…Joe Buck is a tool.

You get what you put in and people get what they deserve.

by Disciple of Carolina on Dec 15, 2011 4:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

lol

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 15, 2011 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

What's the over/under on number of times Mora mentions...the towel.

I like to think of myself as a one-man wolfpack.

by ERL on Dec 15, 2011 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

I just feel bad for Bruins fans

he’s almost as bad at commentary as he coaching.

You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'. -Homer Simpson

by Swamp Panther on Dec 15, 2011 4:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

My opinion

-1.5

You get what you put in and people get what they deserve.

by Disciple of Carolina on Dec 15, 2011 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

Mora

He’s gone. New head coach at UCLA. Charles daviss will take his job this week. You can go to website below to find out annourncers and color guys.and wher games are shown in what area.

the506.com-main Sorry, i couldn’t paste

by oldpanther on Dec 15, 2011 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

I read on Twitter earlier in the weak that Charles Davis has replaced Mora in the booth.

The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace

I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.

Follow me on Twitter! @bdubsmitty

by BW Smith on Dec 15, 2011 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

*week....

The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace

I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.

Follow me on Twitter! @bdubsmitty

by BW Smith on Dec 15, 2011 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

god i hope so….Mora gives me a this guy is a douche sized headache

Proud member of the Panthers Mafia!

Saving The Environment One Green Comment at a Time

'We got to learn to stick in the knife and turn it - Ron Rivera aka BAMF

by MMA_PITBULL on Dec 15, 2011 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

I recall Mora said last week was his last - could be a sub for him.

He does love Newton, though. Better than Brian Billick.

by bigdavis on Dec 15, 2011 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

Because we're a small market team. We get the Z team.

"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury

by OldhamA on Dec 15, 2011 8:28 PM EST up reply actions

I think it's kinda of a bummer that Cam will break Manning's record on the road.

He only needs 206 yards. I could see that in the mid 3rd Quarter.

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 15, 2011 4:23 PM EST reply actions

I wonder if this will be the record

that finally gets some attention on ESPN.

You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'. -Homer Simpson

by Swamp Panther on Dec 15, 2011 4:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

It will...in between Tebow stories.

The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace

I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.

Follow me on Twitter! @bdubsmitty

by BW Smith on Dec 15, 2011 4:50 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs

Rec'd...

…for truthiness!!!

"It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America...Molly Ivins"

by CattleDriver on Dec 15, 2011 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

I imagine it will be something along the lines of

“Cam Newton breaks a record set barely 10 years ago for rookie yardage, in other news we’ve begun the countdown to see who will break Dan Marino’s 27 year old yardage. Will it be Rodgers? Brees? Brady? Even the younger Manning may have a shot! This will truly be an exciting race to watch!”

“Tonight on Sportscenter we make the case for how Tim Tebow would have broken Marino’s record in week 10 if allowed to start from game 1.”

You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'. -Homer Simpson

by Swamp Panther on Dec 15, 2011 5:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

He only needs 166 to tie it. 167 to break it.

STICK THE KNIFE IN AND TURN IT!!!!!

by MrBernz on Dec 15, 2011 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

Whoops, bad math on my part

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 15, 2011 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

If the Panthers can slow the run they'll have a chance

Of course that’s a BIG “if”. I have Andre Johnson on my fantasy team and he isn’t expected to play this week….. yay! So, that leaves TJ Yates without a number 1 WR. You can bet they are going to rely very heavily on their running game. I know Carolina has had a very porous defense when it comes against the run, but if they can somehow figure it out against Foster and Tate, then perhaps…just perhaps… they can pull this one out.

Houston’s defense is playing pretty well this season, too. Ya boy Wade Phillips is in the hospital, tho and the LB coach is calling the D for Houston, so there could be a slight drop off.

I would love for the Panthers to get number 5 this week, and there’s a lot of circumstances that seem to be going their way, but it’s going to be a huge undertaking. I think if Cam has his head on straight after a tough loss at Atlanta, then it’s possible…not likely… but possible that the Panthers could pull off the upset.

Iranian Air Defense Site: 'Unknown aircraft you are in Iranian airspace. Identify yourself.'
Aircraft: 'This is a United States aircraft. I am in Iraqi airspace.'
Air Defense Site: 'You are in Iranian airspace. If you do not depart our airspace we will launch interceptor aircraft!'
Aircraft: 'This is a United States Marine Corps FA-18 fighter. Send 'em up, I'll wait!'
Air Defense Site: (... total silence)

by Tarheel Soldier on Dec 15, 2011 4:32 PM EST reply actions

We have been better against the run the past two weeks.

Is it a coincidence that the last two weeks we have had two new starting DTs and a 3rd DT (Shirley) activated of the PS?

I don’t think so. With Shirley’s size, (6-5, 345) he’s able to plug things up in the run game and he is a decent pass rusher. Neblett plays with great leverage, and you really don’t see him ever get pushed off the ball—which is more than can be said about McClain or Fua. Frank Kearse has been a difference maker as well. He is a big guy too, at 6-5, 325.

Now I’m not saying that we can stop their running game altogether, but I think we can win some plays at the line of scrimmage, and force Yates to have to come through on 3rd down. Yes its only been two games, but we have not seen these new DTs give up much on the ground. Its at least encouraging.

My biggest concern outside of their RBs is Daniels. We don’t really have anybody that matches up with him (or any TE for that matter).

I like to think of myself as a one-man wolfpack.

by ERL on Dec 15, 2011 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Rec'd...

Really good assessment! Good stuff!

"It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America...Molly Ivins"

by CattleDriver on Dec 15, 2011 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

Rivera said he likes fat dt's.

by oldpanther on Dec 15, 2011 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

maybe we can sign jamarcus russell

he’s become a big boi now….maybe he can be our Terrence Cody

by Atlantapanther on Dec 15, 2011 9:11 PM EST up reply actions

The answer your looking for is turnovers and a good run game

That’s how the Bengals almost pulled it off last Sunday. We’ve been without Andre most of the season and Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones are more than serviceable (ok, maybe that’s more true for the former than the latter, but I’m not gonna hate on Jakespeare). Yates will have plenty of other good targets when he needs to pass: TE Owen Daniels, TE Joel Dreessen (supposed to play with a knee he injured last week), and Foster as a rec out of the backfield.

You’re definitely correct about the need to stop Foster and Tate, but the Kid has shown he can throw the ball. He’s beat two good defenses with his arm the last two games. He’s also the first rookie QB to lead his team on 4th quarter, game-winning TD drives in back to back weeks since 1968 iirc.

As for a drop off for Wade’s boys this Sunday… don’t bank on it. I expect the thought of Wade laid up in a hospital or in bed at home on Sunday will fire up Cushing and Company a little more than normal. (Cam might want to wear extra pads.) Also, the defensive play-calling has been pretty simple all year and Herring has a lot of history with Wade.

"Whoa there, motherf**ker!" Goldilocks shrieked at the big, bad linebacker.

by Still Blue on Dec 15, 2011 7:06 PM EST up reply actions

I'll say

Houston’s defense is playing pretty well this season, too.

They are #1 overall. #3 against the pass, #4 against the run.

STICK THE KNIFE IN AND TURN IT!!!!!

by MrBernz on Dec 15, 2011 4:36 PM EST reply actions

Is this due to Wade Phillips

or did they have a great draft/FA pickup? I don’t really keep up with the Texans.

You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is 'never try'. -Homer Simpson

by Swamp Panther on Dec 15, 2011 4:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Both

They have drafted def. about last 5 nyears. They finally got a good cord.

by oldpanther on Dec 15, 2011 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

good answer:)

Wade’s influence on a talented, under-achieving, poorly-coached defensive squad is hard to overstate, but there was a lot of untapped talent for him to work with. The Texans have drafted heavily for D most of their history (don’t ask Frank Bush) and the 2011 draft also yielded 2 defensive starters and our current starting QB.

"Whoa there, motherf**ker!" Goldilocks shrieked at the big, bad linebacker.

by Still Blue on Dec 15, 2011 7:11 PM EST up reply actions

Not to mention...

…that our fans are going to be extremely fired up, seeing as how this will be their first appearance in front of us as the new “AFC South Champions!” I think it’s safe to say: This will NOT be an easy mission!

"It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America...Molly Ivins"

by CattleDriver on Dec 15, 2011 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, but it won't be a...

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 15, 2011 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

True!

It’ll probably be more like:

"It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America...Molly Ivins"

by CattleDriver on Dec 15, 2011 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

Lol

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 15, 2011 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

Texans will probably come out and lay an egg.

by oldpanther on Dec 15, 2011 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

Well...with a young team...

that is always a possibility. Still, I don’t see that happening!!!

"It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America...Molly Ivins"

by CattleDriver on Dec 15, 2011 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

All I meant was you can be happy with your team. Just don’t get arrogant like NE, PItt, NO. fans. Worst in the league.

by oldpanther on Dec 15, 2011 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

I don't mean to sound arrogant...

a letdown is a huge concern for Texan fans. In all honesty, we are proud of our team, but I would be lying if I said we haven’t been waiting for the “other” shoe to drop! I was trying to convey an air of quiet optimism, not arrogance…sorry if it came off wrong! :)

"It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America...Molly Ivins"

by CattleDriver on Dec 15, 2011 5:14 PM EST up reply actions

Its fine bro

We’re just a fairly bitter bunch because we have to deal with Saints fans on a regular basis. It probably also didn’t help that People continued to discount Cam until like week 6, giving us a chip.

by ppalm on Dec 16, 2011 9:32 AM EST up reply actions

It's possible they could have a letdown, for 2 reasons:

1) they clinched their division last week, and did a bit of celebrating; and

2) they’ve got to consider us a pushover.

by bigdavis on Dec 15, 2011 5:10 PM EST up reply actions

This is a big game for them. !st. round bye and home field. There’s 3 other teams with same record.

by oldpanther on Dec 15, 2011 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

Record be damned...

…nothing that we’ve seen from Cam Newton and the Panthers, leads us to believe that they’re pushovers! Nothing at all!

"It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America...Molly Ivins"

by CattleDriver on Dec 15, 2011 5:21 PM EST up reply actions

I'm happy... I think...?!

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 15, 2011 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

You should be...

…Cam Newton and Steve Smith gives you a chance to win on any given Sunday! Or Thursday…or Monday… :)

"It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America...Molly Ivins"

by CattleDriver on Dec 15, 2011 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

So what,

You sayin’ we can’t play on Saturdays? I am offended.

We didn't lose the game; we just ran out of time. ~ Vince Lombardi

by ThePanthers! on Dec 16, 2011 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

You should be

Because hey- you could be Indy.

by Vince Stros on Dec 15, 2011 6:21 PM EST up reply actions

Lol, exactly!

I kinda like playing the underdog role. Of Course I’d rather we win games, but this season is only about training Cam up for next year and beyond.

Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."

by Son of a Newton on Dec 15, 2011 10:12 PM EST up reply actions

We've never beaten them...completely forgot about that.

We’re 0-4 against the Dolphins, too.

Newton for '11 ROY!
Walker for '11 ROY! (or least some really awesome Under Armour commercials)
FREE BIYOMBO! (I'm looking at you, Fuenlabrada)

by Newsinz on Dec 15, 2011 4:48 PM EST reply actions

Sadly.

All those dolphins game. They hurt

Follow me on
TWITTER
@boblaq

by Blacmomba on Dec 15, 2011 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

until last year the browns and ravens never beat us

That one reason is what made me HATE 2010. the RAVENS never beat the panthers….until st pierre threw I believe 3 TD’s in a row. 1 to David Gettis, 1 to Reed who pitched it to somebody, and 1 to Ray Lewis who completely ran over steve smith. I thought he was dead.

2010 :(

by Atlantapanther on Dec 15, 2011 9:15 PM EST up reply actions

Not certain but...

Andre Johnson may not play because of a hammy. That is a little help to us.

I will be in Charlotte for the first time this season and I am hoping my home town arrival makes for some good old luck of the Irish.

Panthers4Life

by McGribble on Dec 15, 2011 5:09 PM EST reply actions

Tough to figure out how the Texans will play.

Letdown after clinching the 1st playoffs ever?

Pumped to the max by the hysterical home crowd?

Totally mellowed-out by “Welcome home, Division winner!” sex?

by FreedomRide on Dec 15, 2011 5:50 PM EST reply actions

Shirley could be a big game changer for this D

his size is exactly what we’ve been missing. 345 pounds is something we havent had since Kemo. I was impressed with him last week, I believe he even had a sack???

"The way y'all are lollygaggin around here with them picks and them shovels, you'd think it was 120 degrees...can't be more than 114."

by SouthernPanther on Dec 15, 2011 5:51 PM EST reply actions

Given our record when Stewie scores

Please, please give Stewie the rock inside the red zone

You get what you put in and people get what they deserve.

by Disciple of Carolina on Dec 15, 2011 5:57 PM EST reply actions

Real Assessment....

You stop the run and you get a T.J. Yates who will have another 26-44 300 yds, 2TD’s, 1 Int soooo i not saying this isn’t the way to go, but he is becoming something impressive and all this if you can stop the “two-headed monster” or whatever stupid NFL Network, ESPN, and their boss the devil call Arian Foster and Ben Tate <——- this is possible maybe because Foster been meh lately and Ben Tate kinda fumbles a bit sooo who knows its the NFL every team has a chance to win….especially with the Man, Heisman winner Cam….oh and steve smith

All I want to do is FAAAARRRRRRRRRMMMMMMMMM!!!....and COok.

by Mellowcheese on Dec 15, 2011 6:28 PM EST reply actions

How the Texans will play is a complete unknown.*

They’ve never come home from a Division-winning game before.
.
.
.
*…like a rolling stone.

by FreedomRide on Dec 15, 2011 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

well according to twitter feeds

Monday the O-Line relaxed and the defense went bowling with the WR’s
TJ i think was there or wherever….oh btw did i mention they do this every week…..oh and that most times When Kubiak says something in terms of we had a good practice more than twice a week …we win the next game that makes us 7-1 when we have a 2 good practices a week and this week we had a good practice yesterday and today sooo yep….
.
.
.
.*like i do my hwk :D

All I want to do is FAAAARRRRRRRRRMMMMMMMMM!!!....and COok.

by Mellowcheese on Dec 16, 2011 12:37 AM EST up reply actions

Not having AJ isn't as big of a deal as all of y'all think.

We’ve won the majority of our games this year without him. He didn’t play against Cincy, and Yates still had a hell of a game against the 10th best pass defense in the league.

"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.

by bone31crusher on Dec 15, 2011 7:24 PM EST reply actions