Carolina Panthers defeated Houston Texans 16-13 in the preseason finale, with Miles Davis’ 1-yard touchdown run proving decisive.
The Carolina Panthers closed out their preseason with a 16-13 victory over the Houston Texans on August 28, 2026, at Bank of America Stadium. The decisive factor was Miles Davis’ 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, which broke a 13-13 tie and gave the Panthers their third win in four exhibition games. The Texans, meanwhile, finished 0-3 in the preseason after a tight, low-scoring affair.
Panthers’ Ground Game and Kicking Prove Enough
Carolina leaned on a balanced attack and reliable special teams. Quarterback Kyle Trask managed the game efficiently, completing 19 of 28 passes for 147 yards with one interception. The rushing attack was led by Anthony Tyus III, who carried 10 times for 41 yards. Wide receiver Ja’seem Reed was the top receiving threat with two catches for 37 yards. Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald was perfect on the night, connecting on field goals from 30, 37, and 28 yards, and adding the extra point after Davis’ score. Defensively, linebacker Maema Njongmeta recorded eight tackles, and defensive end Trevis Gipson contributed a sack.
Texans’ Defense Keeps It Close, Offense Stalls
Houston’s defense kept the team in the game, with linebacker Aiden Fisher delivering a game-high 12 tackles and defensive end Sabastian Harsh adding a sack. Offensively, quarterback Brett Rypien completed 13 of 23 passes for 101 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. His scoring strike was a 6-yard pass to Zay Jones. Running back Deuce Vaughn led the ground attack with 12 carries for 36 yards, and wide receiver Josh Kelly had a team-high three receptions for 36 yards. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn contributed field goals from 38 and 47 yards, but the offense could not generate enough sustained drives.
Turning Point: Davis’ Late Touchdown
After Fairbairn’s 47-yard field goal tied the game at 13-13 early in the fourth quarter, the Panthers responded with a decisive drive. Miles Davis capped it with a 1-yard touchdown run, giving Carolina a three-point lead they would not relinquish. The Texans’ final possession stalled, and the Panthers ran out the clock to secure the win.
What It Means for Both Teams
For the Panthers, the win caps a 3-1 preseason, providing momentum as they head into roster cutdowns. The performance of Trask and the running game offers optimism, but the team faces decisions on the final 53-man roster. For the Texans, the 0-3 preseason record is a concern, but the defense showed promise. The heavy injury list—with 10 players questionable, including right tackle Braden Smith—adds urgency to roster decisions. Both teams now turn their attention to the regular season, with cut-down day looming.
Key Stats
- Kyle Trask: 19/28, 147 yards, 1 INT
- Miles Davis: 1-yard TD run, game-winner
- Brett Rypien: 13/23, 101 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Aiden Fisher: 12 tackles (game-high)
- Ryan Fitzgerald: 3/3 on field goals
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