The Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-1 after two very sloppy games, while the Carolina Panthers are 2-0 after two solid performances. The two teams are set to meet in Charlotte for a primetime showdown on Sunday Night Football and it should be a good one. The Panthers have struggled to move the ball on offense, while their defense has bailed them out of tough situations. By contrast, the Steelers can generally move the ball but can't even come close to stopping the run.
Steelers vs. Panthers 2014: Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger face off
The Steelers are playing sloppy football and the Panthers have been precise lately. The Sunday Night Football matchup should be a good one.
Ezra Shaw
On paper, these teams are closely matched, but the Panthers are playing much cleaner football at this point. Turnovers sunk the Steelers in Week 2 and much of the team’s focus this past week has to have been on ensuring that doesn’t happen again. The Panthers have a very good and opportunistic defense and could certainly take advantage if the Steelers are careless again.
Whatever happens, it should be a solid game. Let’s take a closer look at both teams below:
Meet the Panthers
Carolina is trying to open the season 3-0 for the first time since 2003. They have a solid chance to do so, especially after quarterback Cam Newton returned and looked solid in Week 2. Newton sat out the opener due to a rib injury and the Panthers narrowly bested the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 20-14.
But Newton returned and went 22 of 34 for 281 yards and a touchdown in the 24-7 victory over the Detroit Lions. Carolina's defense performed exceptionally well in that game, as it's a very tall task to stifle the Lions. Matthew Stafford still managed to throw for 291 yards and Calvin Johnson had 83 yards -- you simply can't shut him out -- but the Panthers managed an interception and recovered two fumbles.
Carolina's passing offense will face a stiff test as the Steelers have been solid against the pass thus far. Then again, they've only faced Brian Hoyer and Joe Flacco to this point, so there's not a ton to go on. Newton is better than both of them, and he has the added ability to run the ball, something that might be wise given that the Steelers have struggled against the run.
Meet the Steelers
Pittsburgh may get something of a break when it comes to the aforementioned running game. They've allowed a whopping 174.0 rushing yards per game on average through two games. That includes 157 yards for the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 -- 96 of which went to Bernard Pierce and 56 to Justin Forsett -- and 191 yards to the Browns --with Terrance West amassing 100 yards.
Strictly speaking, the Steelers have faced nothing but backups at the running back position thus far. They're poised to do the same again on Sunday as DeAngelo Williams is questionable for the game with an injury. If Williams can't go, the Panthers will rely on Jonathan Stewart, who has struggled thus far. Right now, the Steelers' run defense offers a solid opportunity to bounce back.
The Steelers turned the ball over three times against the Ravens, including an interception thrown by Ben Roethlisberger. They've also allowed 712 yards of offense through two games, and have been absolutely dominated on both sides of the ball over the past five quarters or so. Pittsburgh needs to turn the tables on the Panthers and get a couple turnovers of their own -- they have yet to force one, while the Panthers have yet to commit one.
Injuries
Panthers:
Questionable: RB DeAngelo Williams (thigh), WR Jerricho Cotchery (thigh), WR Jason Avant (thigh)
Probable: T Byron Bell (toe), WR Kelvin Benjamin (knee), WR Philly Brown (ankle), OL Nate Chandler (toe), DT Colin Cole (non-injury), LB Thomas Davis (hip), DT Dwan Edwards (back), TE Greg Olsen (calf), RB Mike Tolbert (chest), RB Fozzy Whittaker (thigh), T Garry Williams (hip)
Steelers:
Doubtful: WR Dri Archer (ankle)
Questionable: G Ramon Foster (ankle)
Probable: WR Martavis Bryant (shoulder), DE Brett Keisel (non-injury), NT Steve McLendon (shoulder), TE Heath Miller (non-injury), WR Lance Moore (groin), S Troy Polamalu (non-injury)
Follow the Fun
Panthers:
Steelers:
Odds
The Panthers opened up as 3.5-point favorites and can still be had at that amount though some books have dropped it to three points, according to OddsShark.
Next Week
The Panthers will hit the road to take on the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 28. The Steelers will return home to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the same day.
See More:
