Panthers vs. Texans, instant analysis: Don’t bury WRs, or Mike Shula, just yet

Instant analysis from the Carolina Panthers’ 24-17 victory against Houston:

Don’t bury the receivers just yet

Ted Ginn had a bad drop early in the game, but bounced back for a 25-yard touchdown catch in the first half. Ginn had a nice move – kind of a pirouette – to get wide open down the left sideline.

Ginn also had several nice punt returns to affect field position.

In the second half, Philly Brown pulled down a 36-yard touchdown pass from Newton. After doing a Bank of America leap, Brown – who was plagued by drops in the preseason – held up his hands to the crowd.

Don’t bury Mike Shula, either

The Panthers’ offensive coordinator often is criticized for his vanilla schemes. But Shula had a great call after A.J. Klein’s interception in the fourth quarter.

After the change of possession, Shula took a shot deep. Newton faked a handoff and threw deep for Brown, who outjumped Texans corner Johnathan Joseph for the touchdown.

Shula also picked his spots to call quarterback draws against the Texans’ aggressive 3-4 defense. Newton’s 2-yard touchdown leap came on a draw.

Defense taking care of bad quarterbacks

The Panthers have yet to face a good passer. They will next week when Drew Brees comes to town.

But the defense did its part against Blake Bortles and Ryan Mallett, who made his third career start Sunday.

Mallett had 29 incompletions, but made things interesting late.

Playing in place of Luke Kuechly, Klein had a key interception. The Panthers had taken Klein out in a lot of passing situations, but he was on the field and made a nice drop in coverage to pick off Mallett.

Kawann Short’s pressure on Mallett forced an intentional grounding on the Texans’ final drive.

This story was originally published September 20, 2015 at 5:07 PM with the headline "Panthers vs. Texans, instant analysis: Don’t bury WRs, or Mike Shula, just yet."