Two top teams will have their win streaks tested on Thursday Night Football this week when the defense-first Pittsburgh Steelers will try to make it five in a row when they host one of the most dynamic QB-RB combinations in the league in the Carolina Panthers, who have won their last three. This is going to be one of the best matchups of the week as both of these teams need to keep their win streaks going to secure playoff spots. Carolina is right behind first-place New Orleans in the NFC South, while first-place Pittsburgh has the Bengals biting at their heels over in the AFC North.
You don't want to miss out on any of the action this Thursday, so head over to our NFL sportsbook and make your pick for this Thursday night showdown in the steel city, check out live Steelers betting odds and Panthers betting odds.
Carolina may be known primarily as a defense-first squad since they are 11th in the league in total yards given up per game with 344.8, and 9th in the league in total points given up with 180. However, it is the combination of QB Cam Newton and RB Christian McCaffrey that is getting most of the attention lately. In the last two games, those two players have helped the Panther's offense to score 78 points.
Steelers' Head Coach Mike Tomlin is well aware of the threat that Newton and McCaffrey pose.
"They're multi-dimensional players that really perform really well together," Tomlin said. "The way that those two guys operate and the things that (offensive coordinator) Norv Turner is able to do with those two guys is really creating issues for their opponents and particularly of late."
So far this year, McCaffrey has five touchdowns and has run a total of 502 yards on the season. Newton, meanwhile, was limited in practice on Monday with a shoulder injury and is listed as questionable for Carolina. Even if he doesn't play on Thursday, Pittsburgh will still have to deal with Carolina's stellar defense led by LB's Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly. Kuechly ranks fifth overall in the league in total tackles with 58.
The story of the Steelers' recent success begins and ends with their defense. During the current winning streak, they have not allowed more than 21 points in a single game, and last week held Baltimore to a season-low 16 points. They also have 26 total sacks on the season, which is good enough for 4th place in the NFL.
That doesn't mean their offense is slacking, however. Pittsburgh is 4th in the league in pass yards, largely thanks to QB Ben Roethlisberger whose 2560 passing yards is the 5th best in the league so far this season. Roethlisberger did not practice with the team on Monday because of a finger injury, and like Newton is listed as questionable for Thursday's game
The Steelers are 5-1 all-time against the Panthers and have won every matchup dating back to 1999. Carolina's only win against Pittsburgh was in their first ever meeting way back in 1996.
