The Houston Texans and the Carolina Panthers hook up for a Week 4 showdown to determine whether both sides end September 2-2 apiece, or if the Texans close out 3-1 and the Panthers searching for answers at 1-3.
To get started, we take a look at some facts in the series as well as Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
series facts
1. Since 1990, when playoff formats were last revised, 164/304 teams that started 2-1 made the playoffs.
2. The Texans are 2-1 for the seventh time in club history. 2/6 of those previous teams made the playoffs with all two of them having won the division: 2011 and 2016.
3. The Panthers are 1-2 for the 11th time in club history. 2/10 of those previous teams made the playoffs with only the 2013 team having won the division.
4. Since 1990 when playoff formats were last revised, 76/305 teams that started 1-2 made the playoffs.
5. The Texans are 2-2 all-time against the Panthers with a 1-1 record at home.
6. This is the first time the Panthers will play in “NRG Stadium.” Their previous encounter in Houston was when the venue was called “Reliant Stadium” on Dec. 18, 2011, when Carolina beat the Texans 28-13.
7. The Texans’ 2-2 record against the Panthers is tied with the Falcons for their second-best against a NFC South opponent:
Buccaneers: 3-1
Panthers: 2-2
Falcons: 2-2
Saints: 2-3
8. The Texans are 27-33 in September with a 14-14 record at home.
9. Houston is 95-112 in early afternoon games with a 61-52 record at home.
10. The Panthers are 31-40 in the Central Time Zone with a 23-31 record in the early afternoon time slot.
deshaun watson facts
11. According to Next Gen Stats, Watson is tied with Aaron Rodgers for the sixth-longest “time to throw” in the NFL at 2.92 seconds.
12. Watson is tied with Jared Goff for the sixth-most red zone passing touchdowns with four.
13. The average depth of Watson’s targets is 10.3 yards, the fourth-highest among quarterbacks who have started every game in 2019.
14. Watson has been blitzed 37 times, the eighth-most in the NFL.
15. Watson has been hurried on 20 of his throws, the seventh-most in the league.
16. Watson is tied with Matt Ryan for the fourth-most hits in the NFL with 12.
17. Watson has had to scramble seven times this season, the fifth-most in the NFL.
18. Among quarterbacks who have started every game, Watson’s 33 passes on first down are tied for the seventh-fewest in the NFL.
19. Watson has taken four sacks on first down, tied with Philip Rivers, Gardner Minshew, and Luke Falk for the fifth-most in the NFL.
20. Watson has a 125.9 passer rating on second down, the fourth-highest in the NFL.
21. Among quarterbacks who have started every game in 2019, Watson’s 9.1 yards per pass attempt on second down is the second-highest in the NFL. Only Dak Prescott’s 10.2 is higher.
22. Watson is tied for the seventh-most third downs converted by rush by a quarterback with two.
23. Watson is tied with Derek Carr, Jared Goff, and Andy Dalton for the second-most third down conversions in the NFL with 15.
24. Watson is tied with Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers, and Jameis Winston for the second-most sacks on third down with five.
25. Watson is tied for the 11th-fewest touchdowns thrown on third down with one. In fact, Panthers rookie quarterback Kyle Allen has thrown more third down touchdowns (two).
