CHARLOTTE - The Houston Texans (1-1) surprised many with their strong Week 1 win over the Jaguars after an eventful offseason.
However, the team suffered a setback in Week 2 with a road loss at Cleveland and the loss of quarterback Tyrod Taylor to a mid-game hamstring injury.
With a short turnaround before Thursday's game, let's take a look at where the Texans stand.
MILLS EXPECTED TO START
Rookie quarterback Davis Mills is expected to make his first career start for Houston after entering Sunday's game to replace Taylor. Mills went 8-of-18 for 102 yards and a touchdown and interception.
Mills was drafted out of Stanford in the third round of this year's draft with Houston's first pick in the draft. He only played in 14 total games in college, including just five in 2020 due to the pandemic.
He struggled some in this year's preseason, posting a passer rating of 47.8 after throwing for 333 yards on 31-of-65 passing with two touchdowns and four interceptions.
The Panthers scouted him during the pre-draft process, and watched film of his preseason action, but there's a limited body of evidence.
COOKING ON THE OUTSIDE
Mills will rely on speedy wideout Brandin Cooks who caught his only touchdown in Sunday's second half. Cooks currently ranks 14th among active NFL players with 7,090 career receiving yards.
Cooks has 14 receptions for 210 yards this year, while no other Texan has more than 70 yards.
Former Saint and Raven Mark Ingram is now in Houston where he has 125 yards rushing, averaging 3.0 yards per carry.
Houston only had four offensive playmakers return from last season, as they loaded up on veteran free agent signings and draft picks. Overall, the team reported 21 returning vets against 27 veteran acquisitions and five new draft picks.
BALL-HAWKING DEFENSE
Houston's defense has produced five turnovers in two games, including two interceptions from Justin Reid. The Texans are tied for the second-most takeaways in the NFL, while their defensive third-down conversion percentage of 35.0 is third-best in the AFC.
Defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus already has a sack and two tackles for loss as he ranks second in Texans history in career sacks (55.0), tackles for loss (71) and forced fumbles (13).
Carolina is 3-2 all-time against the Texans.
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Terrell McClain (97) against the Houston Texans in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Carolina Panthers tight end Richie Brockel (47) rushes for a seven-yard touchdown as Houston Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) defends in the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) flips into the endzone for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, September 20, 2015 in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Texans 24-17. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Houston Texans tight end Joel Dreessen (85) cannot quite get to the ball as Carolina Panthers strong safety Jordan Pugh (29) defends during the third quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) against the Houston Texans in the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Carolina Panthers tight end Richie Brockel (47) celebrates a touchdown against the Houston Texans as Texans fans look on in the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) is tackled by Houston Texans strong safety Glover Quin (29) in the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) makes a touchdown catch with Houston Texans defender Jamie Sharper (55) in pursuit, during the first quarter, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) catches a pass against the Houston Texans in the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett (15) scrambles with the ball under pressure from Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) during an NFL football game at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, September 20, 2015 in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Texans 24-17. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) slips past Houston Texans' Von Hutchins, bottom, for a touchdown in the first quarter of a NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Houston Texans wide receiver Bryant Johnson, center, and Carolina Panthers Captain Munnerlyn (41) and Jordan Senn in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) runs past Houston Texans' Jamar Fletcher (21)in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Houston Texans' Ron Dayne (36) runs past Carolina Panthers' Deke Cooper (35) in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to throw the ball downfield during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, September 20, 2015 in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Texans 24-17. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) works against Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) during an NFL football game at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, September 20, 2015 in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Texans 24-17. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) breaks the tackle of several Houston Texans players for a 74-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 34-21 loss to the Texans in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Houston Texans' Andre Johnson (80) runs past Carolina Panthers' Dan Morgan (55) for a 31 yard touchdown in the first quarter of a NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Houston Texans' Owen Daniels, right, loses the ball as he is hit by Carolina Panthers' Deke Cooper (35) and Chris Harris, top, in the first quarter of a NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007. The Panthers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers tight end Jermaine Wiggins (84) fails to catch a pass in the end zone as Houston Texans Jamie Sharper (55) defends in the third quarter Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, in Houston. The Texans won 14-10. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
