Texans OC Bobby Slowik comments on facing Panthers' defenders Brian Burns, Derrick Brown

The Panthers may not have a win on the resumé yet, but Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik won’t take anything for granted. He knows that Carolina has two really good defenders in Brian Burns and Derrick Brown.

Burns leads the team with four sacks on the year, as well as six tackles for loss. Brown accounts for one sack with a pair of stops in the backfield. Slowik says timing is key in Sunday’s matchup for Houston’s offense.

“It always presents a challenge,” Slowik said, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC. “You’ve got to be very aware of how long you’re holding onto the ball, make sure Brown is getting doubled not singled make sure we’re helping take care of the edge on Burns”

Burns has been a Pro Bowl selection each of the last two seasons and is in his fifth year in the NFL. Brown is in the middle of his fourth year and earned PFWA All-Rookie honors during the 2020 campaign.

The Texans offensive line has allowed 13 sacks on Stroud this season, just over two per game. The rookie quarterback has also done a nice job of taking care of the football, with only one interception thus far.

Houston enters Sunday’s game with a 3-3 record while Carolina sits at 0-6. If the Texans protect Stroud and the football, they’ll have a great chance to get over .500 this weekend.

Texans OC breaks down Stroud-Young evaluation from Draft

Heading into last year’s NFL Draft, there was plenty of discussion about Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud would be the best option at No. 1. Houston offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik recently peeled back the curtain as to what went into the evaluation process.

Carolina took Young with the first selection and Houston grabbed Stroud at No. 2. So far, it’s worked out much better for the Texans, sitting at 3-3 through the first six games. The Panthers are the last team in the NFL without a win.

This week, as the two teams go head-to-head on Sunday, reporters asked questions about the evaluation process between Stroud and Young.

“Both jump out to you as competitors,” Slowik said, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC. “The grit they would show in person and the want, on Zooms and 30 visits, they would do whatever it takes to make sure the organization they would go to would be a winning organization. Both took pride in the huddle in making the other guys better. You couldn’t miss those things.”

Stroud has thrown for 1,660 yards and nine touchdowns with just one interception through six games. He’s not made many major mistakes in games, a good sign for a young quarterback.

Young has flashed some potential, too, although those moments haven’t resulted in any wins. He’s piled up 967 yards and six touchdowns with four picks.

The two rookie quarterbacks meet on Sunday with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET on FOX.