The story of this season has been the backup quarterbacks. Players like Gardner Minshew, Teddy Bridgewater and Kyle Allen are making interesting storylines and proving their worth in the NFL.
Allen proved that he could not only hold his own but also be the leader of the team. The Carolina Panthers’ offense, which scored just 14 points with Cam Newton two weeks ago, scored 38 points last week with Allen.
Allen breathed new life into this offense in last week’s 38-20 victory over the
Arizona Cardinals. Allen moved the ball down the field at will throwing four touchdowns, with every throw right on target.
Whenever a quarterback plays at this level, it elevates the play of the entire team. The Cardinals were forced to focus on the passing game, giving running back Christian McCaffery room to operate as he ran for 153 yards against the confused Cardinals’ defense. With Newton out at least another week, Allen will look to build on his stellar performance.
Allen won’t throw four touchdowns every week, but this isn’t the first time he has proven his talent. In Week 17 last season, Allen started in the meaningless game and showed flashes of potential. This preseason he built on the potential, playing consistently well all four games he played in. Allen has the talent and the tools to beat the Houston Texans.
The Texans are essentially a three-man team comprised of quarterback Deshaun Watson, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and defensive end J.J. Watt. The Watson and Hopkins combo is great, but the offensive line is unbelievably bad, something that the Panthers’ defense, which recorded eight sacks last week, will surely exploit. On the defensive side for the Texans, outside of Watt, there is not a whole lot there.
The Texans traded star outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks earlier this season. With Clowney’s presence missing, the Texans’ defense could have significant problems covering Carolina tight end Greg Olson who recorded 75 yards and two touchdowns last week.
Allen will continue to make the throws this week and the Panthers’ defense will force turnovers by putting pressure on Watson. That is a recipe for success, and I expect the four and a half-point Panthers to come out on top 34-27.
