National Football League

Thursday Night Football Top Moments: Carolina Panthers rout Houston Texans

Updated Sep. 23, 2021 11:37 p.m. ET

Week 3 of the NFL season kicked off with a road win for Sam Darnold and the undefeated Carolina Panthers as they defeated the Houston Texans, 24-9.

Despite losing Christian McCaffrey in the first half to a hamstring injury, the Panthers offense outdueled the Texans on all fronts.

And Carolina's defense continued to prove to be the best in the business through three weeks. The Panthers are now 3-0 for the first time since 2015 – the year of their last Super Bowl appearance.

Houston (1-2) was led by QB Davis Mills, a rookie third-rounder from Stanford who got his first career start after 11-year veteran and starter Tyrod Taylor was placed on the injured reserve list on Tuesday.

Here are the top moments from Thursday's matchup.

Carolina Panthers 24, Houston Texans 9

FIRST QUARTER

DJ Moore was the star of Carolina's show in the opening frame, hauling in one monster pass after another to move the Panthers downfield.

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Midway through the first, the Panthers took an early lead, thanks to this sneaky 5-yard touchdown run from Darnold.

SECOND QUARTER

Moore, who had five catches for 76 yards in the first quarter, picked up right where he left off in the second …

… but things started to get rocky for the Panthers as the second frame continued.

Houston came up with a huge stop and took over on downs when backup running back Chuba Hubbard wasn't able to get it done on fourth-and-1.

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Houston made a late surge at the bottom of the frame as Brandin Cooks got in on the action, connecting with Mills for the big gain …

… which set up this touchdown score from Anthony Miller to make it a one-point game.

Heading into the break, the Texans trailed the Panthers 7-6 after Joey Slye missed the extra point.

In the first half, Darnold went 13-of-20 for 158 yards and one rushing touchdown, while Mills was 9-for-11 for 79 yards and one score.

THIRD QUARTER

Misfortune struck the Panthers at the top of the third when Carolina's first-round draft pick Jaycee Horn – the No. 8 overall selection in the 2021 Draft – was carted to the locker room with a non-contact foot injury. He did not return.

The Panthers weren't down for long. Carolina extended its lead midway through the third thanks to this 7-yard rush from rookie tight end Tommy Tremble.

FOURTH QUARTER

Tremble stayed hot to open the final frame, snagging this 30-yard dime from Darnold to move the chains.

At the end of the fourth, Darnold – with some some serious help from his teammates – tallied his second rushing touchdown of the night to take a decisive 24-9 lead over the Texans, and things ended there.

Darnold finished the night 23-of-34 for 304 yards, along with the two rushing touchdowns.

The Carolina defense was again outstanding, holding Mills to 168 passing yards and the Texans to 9 points.

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