Panthers Secure Late Lead
The Carolina Panthers defeated the Houston Texans 16-13 on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The final score reflected a tight contest that saw the home team overcome early deficits to take the lead in the fourth quarter. With 72,041 fans in attendance, the game featured a back-and-forth exchange of points that kept the margin narrow until the closing minutes. The Panthers improved their record to 3-1, while the Texans dropped to 0-3.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
Both teams started the game scoreless in the first quarter. The second quarter saw the first points of the game when Houston’s Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked a 38-yard field goal to give the Texans a 3-0 lead. Carolina responded quickly as Ryan Fitzgerald connected on a 30-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3. Fitzgerald then added a 37-yard field goal to put the Panthers ahead 6-3 at the end of the half. In the third quarter, Fitzgerald extended the lead with a 28-yard field goal, making it 9-3. Fairbairn answered with a 47-yard field goal to close the gap to 9-6 entering the final period.
