A tough afternoon in Charlotte put the Texans at 0-2 for the first time since 2008 with a truckload of work to do before they face their next opponent.
Carolina prevailed 24-17 on a sticky Southern day as Cam Newton made enough plays to win and Houston’s offense failed to find the consistency that Bill O’Brien covets.
The Texans survived a shaky first half with and were down just seven at intermission. Then Ryan Mallett came out firing on an 80-yard drive that ended with Garrett Graham’s ‘toe-tapper’ in the back of the end zone.