Sunday, September 21, 2014

Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Steelers will have a few extra days to contemplate what the heck happened to them in last Thursday's 26-6 blasting at the hands of the Ravens in Baltimore. The road doesn't get any easier as they travel to NFC South leading Carolina to take on a 2-0 Panther team that is slowly finding some offense to go with a vaunting defensive unit.

The Steelers looked bad in last week's loss to Baltimore, mostly due to the fact that the game stats were rather similar between the two teams. Pittsburgh racked up 301 yards compared to 323 for the Ravens, had more passing yards, and was more efficient on 3rd downs. One doesn't need to look far then to see where the game was decided, 3 Steeler turnovers compared to 0 for Baltimore. Pittsburgh has a top 5 passing attack and is 19th in rushing but must hold on to the ball against a tough Carolina defense to have any chance at a road win.

Derek Anderson showed the Carolina faithful that no Cam Newton was no problem as he led the Panthers to a tough 20-14 road win in Tampa to start the year. "Superman" returned in week two though and Newton proved a force against the tough Detroit front line, throwing for 281 yards and a TD despite getting sacked 4 times. Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly has led the charge for the Panther defense tallying 20 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble for a unit that ranks 6th in the league in opponents rush yards.

Carolina can add their third impressive win on Sunday night if they can defend their home turf against the Steelers. It's the exact opposite approach they took last year, dropping six straight games to start the season and Ron Rivera is finding this is a much less stressful approach. Both teams have some weapons though and this game is anything but a given for the Panthers.

Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends

Pittsburgh Steelers are 0-2-0 Against the Spread

Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-1-0 against the Over/Under

Carolina Panthers Betting Trends

Carolina Panthers are 2-0-0 Against the Spread

Carolina Panthers are 0-2-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh Steelers

09/14/14 RB Dri Archer Ankle "?" Sunday vs. Carolina
09/14/14 WR Lance Moore Groin "?" Sunday vs. Carolina
09/14/14 WR Martavis Bryant Shoulder "?" Sunday vs. Carolina
09/04/14 LB Jordan Zumwalt Groin IR

Carolina Panthers

09/16/14 RB DeAngelo Williams Thigh probable Sunday vs. Pittsburgh
09/15/14 RB Fozzy Whittaker Hamstring "?" Sunday vs. Pittsburgh
09/14/14 T Garry Williams Hip "?" Sunday vs. Pittsburgh
09/14/14 DE Greg Hardy Disciplinary "?" Sunday vs. Pittsburgh
09/14/14 LB Jason Williams Thigh "?" Sunday vs. Pittsburgh
09/04/14 DE Frank Alexander Suspension expected to miss weeks 1-4 of regular season
09/04/14 OG Edmund Kugbila Back IR

Tony's Pick: Take Carolina

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