CHARLOTTE – The Panthers started fast on both sides of the ball and earned a 27-17 victory over the Houston Texans in the preseason opener at Bank of America Stadium.
Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin opened the scoring with a jaw-dropping 23-yard touchdown catch on Carolina's second series. And the Panthers' first-team defense was lights out, forcing consecutive three-and-outs.
"It's great to see Kelvin make that play," head coach Ron Rivera said. "And defensively, I liked what the first unit did right off the bat."
Said safety Kurt Coleman: "It was just six plays, but we set the tempo and the tone. We stopped the run every time they tried it, and on the passing downs the front seven got after 'em. And I thought we did a great job in coverage for the plays we were out there. We want to continue to get better and better, but it's very promising how we started."
Texans running back Alfred Blue answered with a 16-yard rushing touchdown late in the first quarter, but Carolina regained the lead late in the second quarter when quarterback Joe Webb launched a deep ball to speedy wide receiver Damiere Byrd for a 50-yard score.
Each team tacked on a field goal to make it 17-10 at the half. Then Webb and Byrd combined again to extend the lead. Webb found Byrd cutting across the end zone for an 8-yard score in the third quarter.
"(Damiere) is taking the opportunity," Rivera said. "He's taking advantage."
Texans rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson reached the end zone on a 15-yard scramble late in the third quarter, cutting Carolina's lead to 24-17.
Rookie kicker Harrison Butker nailed a 51-yard field goal to make it 27-17 late in the fourth quarter.
"Obviously we talked about coming out and starting fast," said quarterback Derek Anderson, who started in place of Cam Newton (shoulder). "With our group, we executed really well. We had a few mistakes, but you aren't going to be perfect with the first one."
Photos from the Panthers preseason opener against the Texans.
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs against Houston Texans free safety Kurtis Drummond (23) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, left, speaks with Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien before the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) makes the catch against Houston Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson (30) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) tackles Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Damiere Byrd (18) runs against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) makes a touchdown catch against Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Houston Texans running back Alfred Blue (28) is tackled in the end zone by Carolina Panthers free safety Colin Jones (42) and Carolina Panthers defensive back Teddy Williams (21) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Houston Texans running back Tyler Ervin (34) is hit by Carolina Panthers linebacker David Mayo (55) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaelen Strong (11) runs against Carolina Panthers defensive back Teddy Williams (21) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Houston Texans linebacker Dylan Cole (51) attempts a tackle on Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kaelin Clay (83) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kaelin Clay (83) spins against the Houston Texans after making a catch during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Damiere Byrd (18) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Houston Texans defensive back Marcus Gilchrist (21) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers linebacker David Mayo (55) makes the tackle on Houston Texans running back Tyler Ervin (34) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers inside linebacker Jared Norris (52) causes a fumble on Houston Texans tight end Evan Baylis (81) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. The Carolina Panthers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, right speaks with Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Houston Texans wide receiver Dres Anderson (17) misses the catch against Carolina Panthers defensive back Teddy Williams (21) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Damiere Byrd (18) scores a touchdown in the end zone against Houston Texans defensive back Marcus Gilchrist (21) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers inside linebacker Jared Norris (52) hits Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Garrett Gilbert (4) is hit by Houston Texans defensive tackle Brandon Dunn (92) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
