Things To Watch is adapted from a special Texans All-Access recorded by Voice of the Texans Marc Vandermeer and John Harris.

Three Things to Watch as Texans Prepare for Saturday

As the Houston Texans gear up to face the Carolina Panthers, Marc Vandermeer and John Harris break down the top three storylines they're looking at ahead of the game.

Pass Protection

The offensive line's development remains a focal point, particularly the impressive play of Tytus Howard. The unit's ability to provide quarterback C.J. Stroud with protection has improved throughout Training Camp presented by Xfinity, especially since the team transitioned to full pads in practice.

Stroud has demonstrated remarkable patience and maturity when discussing the adaptation to a new offensive system, acknowledging that building chemistry and mastering the scheme takes time.

Linebacker Battle

The linebacker corps presents one of the most compelling position battles on the roster. With Christian Harris sidelined from recent practices, a lot of other guys are getting a chance to step up. They've shown the team has depth at a position where it can be difficult to build a deep group.

When Harris returns to full health, the Texans will have a lot of athletic, intelligent, and productive linebackers—a luxury that should benefit both the defense's flexibility and overall energy levels. How the coaching staff manages this depth and deploys these players in various packages will be fascinating to watch.

Pass Rush

While the Carolina Panthers possess a solid offensive line, the Texans' pass rush unit will look to demonstrate its continued progress against quality opposition. Recent glimpses have been encouraging, particularly from second-tier players who showed promise in limited action against Minnesota.

Players like Casey Toohill and Haggai Ndubuisi have provided flashes of potential that could translate into meaningful contributions. The defensive front's ability to generate pressure will be crucial, especially as it works in tandem with a secondary that is very capable of creating turnovers.

The return of C.J. Gardner-Johnson at some point should only enhance the defense's ball-hawking capabilities, given his intelligence, athleticism, and versatility to play both in coverage and near the line of scrimmage.

BONUS: The Importance of Clean Execution

Beyond these three primary focus areas, the team's ability to execute cleanly deserves attention. Last week's turnovers highlighted the need for better ball security and decision-making, particularly in crucial moments.

The goal for Saturday should be straightforward: Establish an early lead, allow the first and second units to build confidence, and then evaluate depth players without the pressure of a tight contest. Clean execution in the first half could set the tone for a good evaluation period in the second half.