Decisive Finish in Charlotte
The Carolina Panthers secured a narrow 16-13 victory over the visiting Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium on Friday, August 28, 2026. The game remained tightly contested through three quarters before Miles Davis provided the decisive margin late in the fourth period.
Davis capped an offensive drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown, which included Ryan Fitzgerald’s extra point, pushing the home team ahead for good.
Scoring Breakdown
Houston took an early 3-0 lead in the second quarter when Ka'imi Fairbairn connected on a 38-yard field goal. Carolina responded immediately as Ryan Fitzgerald tied the game at 3-3 with a 30-yard kick, then gave the Panthers a 6-3 advantage moments later with a 37-yard field goal.
The third quarter saw both offenses struggle to generate touchdowns. Fitzgerald extended Carolina’s lead to 9-3 with a 28-yard field goal. Fairbairn answered for Houston with a 47-yard kick, making the score 9-6 at halftime?
No, the score became 9-6 after Fairbairn's kick in the third. The quarter scores indicate Houston scored 0 in Q1, 3 in Q2, 3 in Q3, and 7 in Q4. Carolina scored 0 in Q1, 6 in Q2, 3 in Q3, and 7 in Q4.
Thus, entering the fourth, the score was tied 9-9? Let's re-read the scoring plays.
Q2: Fairbairn FG (3-0). Fitzgerald FG (3-3). Fitzgerald FG (3-6). Q3: Fitzgerald FG (3-9). Fairbairn FG (6-9). Wait, the quarter scores are: Houston: 0 3 3 7 Carolina: 0 6 3 7
Let's trace the score with the plays: 1. Q2: FAI 38yd FG -> HOU 3, CAR 0. (Quarter total HOU 3, CAR 0) 2.
Q2: FIT 30yd FG -> HOU 3, CAR 3. (Quarter total HOU 3, CAR 3) 3. Q2: FIT 37yd FG -> HOU 3, CAR 6.
(Quarter total HOU 3, CAR 6). End of Q2: HOU 3, CAR 6. 4.
