Having clinched the first division crown in franchise history, the (10-3) Houston Texans [-6] will try and finish the season strong, as they head to the playoff for the first time. Standing in their way this week will be a player many people believe should be in the Pro Bowl, as Cam Newton and the (4-9) Carolina Panthers [+6] invade Reliant Stadium.
This NFL Week 15 game is scheduled to kickoff Sunday afternoon at 1 PM ET on FOX. Furthermore, NFL Point Spreads specialists believe that the Carolina Panthers and the Houston Texans will combine and score an OVER/UNDER total of 45 points. The Texans have been almost perfect at home this season, posting a 5-1 mark. The Panthers, meanwhile, have been less than spectacular on the road, as they come in with a 2-4 record away from home.
For the Panthers, the future certainly looks bright for this team since Newton’s arrival. The young man’s has impressed not only his head coach Ron Rivera, but many others as well. Newton, who’s currently third in the fan balloting for NFC Pro-Bowl quarterbacks behind Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, has already set a league record for most rushing touchdowns by a QB with 13.
With three games to play in his rookie season, Newton needs just 167 yards in order to surpass Peyton Manning’s rookie passing record. But what his head coach feels most proud of is the way he has been able to mature from a troubled young man to a man and an NFL professional.
“I think he’s deserving, I really do,” Rivera said. “In light of everything he’s gone through I think the young man has proven himself. It’s just another process in his development. I think there are a lot of deserving players in this league and we’ll see how it goes. But I do believe his work this year speaks for itself and speaks to what we’ve done offensively and as a team I think the young man has been tremendous.”
For the Texans, losing Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart in back-to-back weeks could have been catastrophic. With a rookie at quarterback, it seemed like the end of the regular season was destined to be a struggle. But with great defense and terrific play from TJ Yates, the Texans not only clinched the franchise’s first division crown, but will be heading to the playoff for the first time.
“It’s pretty crazy,” Yates said. “A lot of people in this organization have waited a long time for this. This is a special day for this team and this organization.”
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