The Carolina Panthers withstood a late comeback from the Houston Texans to make it two wins from two in the new NFL season, running out 24-17 winners at the Bank of America Stadium this evening.
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The Texans were the only side to register in the opening quarter of the match, and even then the visitors were forced to settle for a field goal as Randy Bullock kicked the three points from 43 yards.
Carolina began their campaign with a win last weekend, and their hopes of making it two from two were handed a boost when Cam Newton connected with Ted Ginn Jr for a 25-yard score in the early stages of the second quarter.
That proved to be the only touchdown of the first half, with a Graham Gano field goal the only other points added before the break, but Houston got themselves back into the match after the restart.
Ryan Mallett, playing ahead of original starter Brian Hoyer for the Texans, notched his side's first touchdown of the night when he picked out Garrett Graham in the endzone from seven yards to level the scores.
Newton restored the hosts' advantage with a two-yard rush late in the third quarter, however, and he then combined with Corey Brown for a 36-yard touchdown to seemingly put his side on the verge of victory.
Mallett had other ideas and responded with a rushing touchdown of his own to reduce the deficit to seven but, despite having the ball in the closing stages, he was unable to manufacture another scoring drive as Carolina held out for the win.
