The Carolina Panthers travel to NRG Stadium today for their Week 2 preseason showdown against the Houston Texans.
Carolina comes off a lackluster Week 1 — scoring only 10 points — and facing a much stiffer test tonight as most starters are expected to log roughly three drives apiece. This game sets the stage for key offensive evaluations.
Cornerback Jaycee Horn and left guard Damien Lewis will be out.
Houston, meanwhile, looks to capitalize at home. With roster spots up for grabs, expect key preseason auditions from under-the-radar players across their offense and defense.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud had high praise for the Panthers’ Bryce Young this week, saying that “he’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve seen in my life.”
5 Things to Watch
First drive allotment — Carolina’s starters are expected to play limited snaps (around three drives), signaling where real evaluations begin tonight.
Rookie WR impact — Watch Young and first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan for signs of chemistry and growth from last week’s limited reps.
Offensive line depth — Carolina’s interior O-line must withstand Houston’s pass rush without starting guard Damien Lewis on the field.
Texans’ developmental standouts — Players like RB Jawhar Jordan, WR Braxton Berrios, TE Cade Stover, and OT Blake Fisher have much to prove tonight.
Momentum from joint practice — Houston’s defense, especially the secondary and front seven, performed strongly in practices — can that translate into early game dominance?
How to Watch Panthers vs. Texans
Kickoff for today’s Panthers–Texans game is set for just after 1:00 PM Eastern / 12:00 PM Central at NRG Stadium, Houston, TX.
Fans in Houston can watch the game on ABC-13 (KTRK) and stream it for free on HoustonTexans.com.
Panthers fans can tune in on WJZY in Charlotte, and on Panthers Television Network affiliates in North and South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. We’ve got the full list below. The game also streams live for local viewers on the Panthers app and website.
Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM Eastern / 12:00 PM Central
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
TV (Houston): KTRK ABC-13
TV (Panthers Television Network): FOX 46 WJZY (Charlotte), WCSC/CBS (Charleston, SC), WLTX/CBS (Columbia, SC), WITN/NBC (Greenville/New Bern, NC), WFMY/CBS (Greensboro, NC), WHNS/FOX (Greenville/Spartanburg, SC), WFXB/FOX (Florence/Myrtle Beach, SC), WRAL/NBC (Raleigh/Durham, NC), WRAZ/FOX (Raleigh/Durham, NC), WSFX/FOX (Wilmington, NC), WVEC/ABC (Tidewater/Outer Banks, VA/NC), WDBJ/CBS (Roanoke/Lynchburg, VA), WZBJ/TV24 (Roanoke/Lynchburg, VA), WJBF/ABC (Augusta, GA), WJCL/ABC (Savannah, GA)
Streaming: NFL+ (out-of-market), Houston Texans website (local), Panthers app and website (local)
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