Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans: Live Score, Video and Analysis
By on December 18, 2011
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T.J. Yates was marching Houston down the field and things were clicking.
Foster was finally running the ball effectively and the Texans were looking like they were ready to mount a come back.
And then Houston was handed a reminder that they are still without some of their best players, particularly on offense.
Yates is still a rookie QB who was just thrown into this role as the starting QB of an elite NFL football team.
To expect to see him play at the top of his game every week might have been too much to ask as he threw an interception in the end zone to help put the final nails in the coffin.
Turnovers were the story (-3 turnover ratio for Houston) as Houston beat themselves.
But give Carolina credit for coming up with the plays to take advantage of the turnovers.
Cam Newton (149 yards passing, 2 TD) was incredibly effective in the first half through the air with some accurate throws.
In the final drives of the game he used his athleticism to run the ball for good gains to help push the Panthers to the upset win over the AFC South Champion Houston Texans.
Houston found themselves in a shootout and without Andre Johnson nor Matt Schaub, they just did not have enough bullets.
Final Score: Carolina Panthers 28, Houston Texans 13
Missed the trick play by QB Cam Newton in today's game?
Watch it here!
Two straight runs give the Panthers the first down, and the win.
This game was just a recipe of disaster for Houston.
Their offense, without Matt Schaub, Matt Leinart, and Andre Johnson, is just not equipped to deal with an offense firing on all cylinders and will not be able to make up for too many mistakes.
At the two minute warning, things are looking bleak for Houston and looking fantastic for the Panthers.
This Texans defense just could not get the stop needed and with just two minutes left and no timeouts left, I would be surprised if Houston even gets a chance to mount a come back.
Carolina needed a first down on third and two and just let Cam Newton do what he does with a tuck and run for the easy first down.
Too easy. This Texan defense looks absolutely worn out.
With 4:20 left, the Panthers have anotehr first down after the DeAngelo Williams run to midfield and Carolina is starting put nails in the Texans' coffin.
Steve Smith is found in the open field and is able to just out run Johnathan Joseph and Newton throws an accurate pass just outside of Joseph's hands.
Another first down for Carolina.
Panthers running game is stuffed twice but then Carolina's Cam Newton takes the QB keeper and runs for the eight yard first down.
And away from your own end zone too for Carolina.
INT Carolina!
Caroline picks off the throw from T.J. Yates in the end zone and Carolina gets the ball back and will be able to run time off the clock.
Yates has given us a sobering reminder that he is a rookie.
A stuffed run and then Yates got forced out of the pocket and lost yardage on the scramble.
Jacoby Jones finds himself wide up down the middle of the field for a nice gain to the Panthers 32 yard line.
And then Arian Foster just put some sick moves with a nice spin to fool the defensive lineman for Carolina for a second first down already.
First and goal.
With 9:54 minutes left, it would be huge to get another TD here.
This is still just a two score game (with a two-point conversion on a TD) and getting one of the TD here would be huge.
A nice return to around mid field is a good start for Houston.
TD Carolina!
DeAngelo Williams takes advantage of a huge whole set up by his blocking unit and bolts for the six.
This was a nightmare drive for Houston and just what the doctor ordered for the Panthers.
They take the crowd out of it as they answer immediately to the Texans score.
This Carolina offense has been firing on this drive as the Panther run a play action to force the defense right and they throw left to TE Jeremy Shockey and the Panterhs are deep in the Texans territory.
The Texans stuff the run and a third and five is set up right now.
A stop here would be huge for Houston.
And they do not get it as Newton throws a strike on the quick out route to his wide out Nenee
The Panthers let Newton keep the ball and tuck it for a first down as he shows off his athleticism.
Carolina is also getting good yardage on first down which is making the later downs tougher for the Texans to defend.
Cam Newton is trying to put away the AFC South champs on their home turf as he comes on to the field.
Huge drive right here.
With the offense looking like they are starting to become alive, it will be up to this defense to keep this Panther offense, that looked very effective in the first half, at bay and give the ball back to the offense.
TD Houston!
Arian Foster just darts the ball low and down the middle of the defense for the score.
Such a good drive for Arian Foster, he just took it right after the Panther offense and Houston is starting to get some momentum.
Arian Foster is just barely short of the touchdown as the refs will mark the ball just short.
But that is a first down for Houston!
The clock is ticking as the game enters the fourth quarter.
Now is the time for the Houston offense to punch it in for a TD.
T.J. Yates throws a dart at Kevin Walter over the middle of the field and gets a Houston first down.
Houston is now with in the ten yard line and needs to punch it in this time.
A FG will not suffice.
It is getting too late.
The clock is ticking.
The Texans have a touch down called back after the ref rules Kevin Walter was legally pushed out of bounds and became an ineligible reciever.
Bummer for Houston.
Arian Foster makes a huge cuts and used his blockers up field to patiently get the ball quickly down field and then put a move on a defender or two for a 22 yard run.
Momentum is on Houston's side as another Panther is injured.
The pitch to Foster gets about eight yards and Houston is moving the ball again.
Injury to Charles Johnson though will stop game play.
Johnson is their top pass rusher so this could be a huge, game changing injury.
T.J. Yates did this last week and he did it again now.
Found nothing down field and tucked the ball and ran for the first, doing his best Cam Newton impression.
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