Texans vs. Panthers NFL Week 8 odds, props, trends: C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson facing Bryce Young in historic matchup

When Houston visits Carolina on Sunday, all the hullabaloo will be about a rare meeting between quarterbacks chosen first and second overall in this summer's draft, the Panthers' Bryce Young and the Texans' C.J. Stroud. This is just the fifth time in history it's happened. However, let's not forget No. 3 overall pick Will Anderson of Houston, a linebacker out of Alabama. It will be the first game in the common-draft era to feature the top three selections from the most recent NFL Draft in the same game. The Texans are -3 on the SportsLine consensus.

Carolina comes out its bye as the NFL's only winless team both straight up (0-6) and against the spread (0-5-1 ATS). Young has largely struggled, completing 63.2% of his passes for 967 yards, a terrible 5.3 yards per attempt, six TDs and four picks for a rating of 78.7. His offensive line is one of the league's weakest and Young has been sacked 16 times in his five games. He missed a Week 3 loss in Seattle due to injury.

Young, who was Anderson's teammate at Alabama, was among the favorites to win Offensive Rookie of the Year entering the season but is now +6000. The Panthers are 0-6 for the second time in franchise history. DraftKings offers a prop on which team they'll get their first win against, and naturally the Texans are +130 favorites, followed by the Colts at +200. Carolina hosts Indianapolis next Sunday. The longest shot is at Jacksonville in Week 17. It's interesting that Jacksonvolle has longer odds than Tampa Bay (+1400) in Week 18, although needless to say if the Panthers are 0-16 then, they will treat that Bucs game like the Super Bowl.

Coach Frank Reich had been calling offensive plays but announced after the Week 6 loss that he would hand those duties over to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. Reich previously let Brown call plays in the second halves of preseason games.

When the Panthers originally traded up with Chicago for the No. 1 overall pick, Stroud was thought to be the target and he became the immediate favorite as that pick, although eventually it became clear Young would be the choice.

So far, it looks like the wrong choice. The former Ohio State star has already led the Texans to as many wins (three) as they had all of last season. Stroud is averaging 276.7 passing yards with nine TDs and just one pick for a rating of 96.4. He started his career with an NFL-record 191 attempts before his first interception and is the -210 Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite.

For Sunday, Young is set at over/under 232.5 yards, 1.5 TDs (Under a -210 favorite) and 0.5 INT. Those numbers for Stroud are 239.5 yards, 1.5 TDs (Under -145 favorite) and 0.5 INTs.

This will be the first matchup between the two QBs at any level. The two never faced off in college.

In the previous No. 1 vs. No. 2 rookie QB matchups, the No. 2 pick is 3-1. It last happened two years ago when Zach Wilson and the Jets beat Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. The lone top pick to win was Peyton Manning, whose Colts beat Ryan Leaf and the Chargers in 1998.

Texans GM Nick Caserio made the very bold move during this draft to also acquire the No. 3 overall pick from Arizona so he could take Anderson, a pass-rusher. In return, the Texans sent the No. 12 and No. 33 overall picks this year, as well as a first- and third-rounder in the 2024 draft to Arizona (the Cardinals then traded back up to No. 6 using that 12 as part of the package). Anderson has been solid so far with 24 tackles and one sack and is +1100 for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Houston is a road favorite for the first time since 2020, ending a streak of 21 straight road games as an underdog.

Get more out of your SportsLine subscription! 

• Picks: NFL | NBA | CFB | CBB
• DFS: Lineup Optimizer | Picks
• Early Edge: YouTube | Apple Podcasts
• Newsletters: SportsLine Daily | Fantasy

Qualifying SportsLine members receive a 30-day free trial of Paramount+ premium. Sync your account right here.