Week 10: Carolina Panthers (TNF)

[Edman]

6-2 and absolutely on fire. Just got done smashing the Bucs today. Cam Newton looks like his 2015 MVP self again and Christian McCaffrey looks great. Major test for the Defense.

[polamalubeast]

Great team

Unfortunately this game is on a Thursday night where it's often sloppy for both teams

If it would not be on a Thursday night, this game would be amazing to watch.

[Mojouw]

If this team can beat the Panthers - well then anything is possible this season. If Cam and company shred the defense, well then we know that the recent run was simply beating up on division foes that were likely more than a tad over-rated.

Really big test. Likely won't mean much for the final outcome of the season (team could drop this game and be alright) but, for me, it is a measuring stick game for the defense.

I am highly pessimistic however.

[43Hitman]

If this team can beat the Panthers - well then anything is possible this season. If Cam and company shred the defense, well then we know that the recent run was simply beating up on division foes that were likely more than a tad over-rated.

Really big test. Likely won't mean much for the final outcome of the season (team could drop this game and be alright) but, for me, it is a measuring stick game for the defense.

I am highly pessimistic however.

When are you not? :chuckle:

[AtlantaDan]

If this team can beat the Panthers - well then anything is possible this season. If Cam and company shred the defense, well then we know that the recent run was simply beating up on division foes that were likely more than a tad over-rated.

Agreed it is a very good game for a Thursday night that is a measuring stick for both teams. Glad the Steelers do not have to travel on a short week.

But wondering how impressive the opposition has been cuts both ways - Panthers have won against Cowboys, Bengals, Giants, @Eagles, Ravens and Tampa. Lost @Redskins and @ Falcons.

[Shoes]

Keep Artie Burns on the bench and we have a chance to win.

[FrancoLambert]

Good matchup. Both teams represent their conference well.
Both have to contend with the short week.
Should be sloppy but good. :lol:

- - - Updated - - -


Keep Artie Burns on the bench and we have a chance to win.

Funny, I don’t miss Artie as well.

[GoSlash27]

My biggest concern was having to prep on a short week with injuries, but we're taking them on 100% healthy. Bring on dem Panthers! :tt02:

[86WARD]

Prime time games have been good to Tomlin and Ben. Here’s hoping it continues. Newton will be a problem though. This is where you really miss Shazier’s athletic ability.

[pczach]

Prime time games have been good to Tomlin and Ben. Here’s hoping it continues. Newton will be a problem though. This is where you really miss Shazier’s athletic ability.


Yep

[Born2Steel]

Panthers have been feasting on weak teams in weak moments. Steelers will dominate.

[BlackAndGold]

Steelers will be wearing their all black uniforms correct?

[st33lersguy]

Week after B'more on short rest will be killer. Previous 2 wins after winnig at B'more, they lost with a full week

[polamalubeast]

Week after B'more on short rest will be killer. Previous 2 wins after winnig at B'more, they lost with a full week

It was last year against 2 very good teams(Jags and Pats)...The panthers are a very good team too.

[teegre]

Steelers will be wearing their all black uniforms correct?

Ooooh yea!!!

[st33lersguy]

Tomlin just won his 5th game at Baltimore, the week after the previous 4 games at Baltimore, he is 1-3 (only win was in 2010 at home against a 4-12 Bengals team in which they were trailing well into the 2nd quarter)

[EzraTank]

Panthers have been feasting on weak teams in weak moments. Steelers will dominate.You do realize what you just typed.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[GBMelBlount]

Tough game but:

We are getting better every week.

Ben plays better as an underdog.

We are at home.

Can't wait!

[AtlantaDan]

Steelers open as 5 point favorites over the Panthers

http://www.vegasinsider.com/nfl/odds/las-vegas/index.cfm

[Steeler-in-west]

Both teams will be coming into the game on short rest. Advantage home team.

[Fire Goodell]

Going to be a tough game, but being a Thursday night at home benefits us. If the defense can continue to improve we got this.

[Neversatisfied]

This will be the best test for a defense that looks like its putting it all together.

[polamalubeast]

1059402369849585664

[teegre]

Short week favors the home team. That’s about all that I got... because, TNF sort of creates this even playing field for both teams (of chaos, soreness, and lack of rest).

#cointoss
#noinjuries
#10daysrestforanAFCfoe

[polamalubeast]

The panthers offense is a big challenge

Best running team of the NFL with 5.2 yards per run ... Of course Cam Newton helps but McCaffrey is also excellent and he is a very good receiver as well.

Newton as a passer is very good this year ... 100.8 QB rating, over 67% of complete passes and only 12 sacks allowed....Their defense is very average this year, as this is the case for every NFL teams ..... If it would not be a Thursday night game, it might be a high scoring game, but since it's is a Thursday night game, we do not know it.

[AtlantaDan]

This from the Charlotte Observer on the Panthers excellent offense and defensive flaws

Sunday, Panthers looked like a team that could win Super Bowl. And one that can’t.

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article220899390.html#navlink=Lead

Looks like an even match up

Teams are close defensively in average points (Panthers - 22.5/Steelers - 23.5) and yards (Panthers - 344.8/Steelers - 347.9) allowed per game

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?seasonType=REG&offensiveStatisticCategory=TOTAL_YARDS&d-447263-n=1&d-447263-o=1&d-447263-p=1&d-447263-s=TOTAL_YARDS_GAME_AVG&tabSeq=2&season=2018&role=OPP&Submit=Go&archive=false&conference=null&defensiveStatisticCategory=null&qualified=false

Also close in average points scored (Steelers - 28.4/Panthers - 27.5) with edge to Steelers in yards gained (Steelers - 415.2/Panthers - 371.2) per game

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=2&offensiveStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&conference=ALL&role=TM&season=2018&seasonType=REG&d-447263-s=TOTAL_YARDS_GAME_AVG&d-447263-o=2&d-447263-n=1

Against this offense cannot afford a sleepwalking first quarter as happened in the Chiefs, Ravens and Browns home games

[polamalubeast]

This from the Charlotte Observer on the Panthers excellent offense and defensive flaws

Sunday, Panthers looked like a team that could win Super Bowl. And one that can’t.

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article220899390.html#navlink=Lead

Looks like an even match up

Teams are close defensively in average points (Panthers - 22.5/Steelers - 23.5) and yards (Panthers - 344.8/Steelers - 347.9) allowed per game

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?seasonType=REG&offensiveStatisticCategory=TOTAL_YARDS&d-447263-n=1&d-447263-o=1&d-447263-p=1&d-447263-s=TOTAL_YARDS_GAME_AVG&tabSeq=2&season=2018&role=OPP&Submit=Go&archive=false&conference=null&defensiveStatisticCategory=null&qualified=false

Also close in average points scored (Steelers - 28.4/Panthers - 27.5) with edge to Steelers in yards gained (Steelers - 415.2/Panthers - 371.2) per game

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=2&offensiveStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&conference=ALL&role=TM&season=2018&seasonType=REG&d-447263-s=TOTAL_YARDS_GAME_AVG&d-447263-o=2&d-447263-n=1

Against this offense cannot afford a sleepwalking first quarter as happened in the Chiefs, Ravens and Browns home games

If we look at the best teams like the Chiefs, pats, Rams, Saints and even the steelers, panthers and chargers, each defense have flaws.The only thing that is important on defense is not to be one of the worst defense of the NFL (like the falcons early in the season or even us in the first 4 games) and make some stop on the 3rd down and red zone defense.

I agree that we must not sleep in the first quarter on offense like in some home game.

[Iron Steeler]

Prime time games have been good to Tomlin and Ben. Here’s hoping it continues. Newton will be a problem though. This is where you really miss Shazier’s athletic ability.

Yes definately. Although getting Morgan Burnett back helps. Hopefully we put him as a dime LB to spy Killa Cam.

I am a little confident here not going to lie. Our defense may not be "great"(yet) but one thing for sure is they are fast. We should be able to bottle up any designed QB runs rather quickly.

Offense needs to keep rolling, keep balanced attack. If Connor can run for 100+ and keep Cam off the field we hve a real great chance of winning.

A win will be huge for moral since the Panthers are elite.

[DesertSteel]

Steelers 36-31

[polamalubeast]

I think the steelers are going to be a pass happy team against the panthers, since the steelers will not want to give too many touch to Conner on a short week .....

[Edman]

If we look at the best teams like the Chiefs, pats, Rams, Saints and even the steelers, panthers and chargers, each defense have flaws.The only thing that is important on defense is not to be one of the worst defense of the NFL (like the falcons early in the season or even us in the first 4 games) and make some stop on the 3rd down and red zone defense.

I agree that we must not sleep in the first quarter on offense like in some home game.

The Chiefs, Rams, and Saints Defenses are below average to outright bad.

[Fire Goodell]

I think the steelers are going to be a pass happy team against the panthers, since the steelers will not want to give too many touch to Conner on a short week .....

Honestly I don't think they will stray from giving Conner his touches. To be honest I think his workload has been high, but not overly high. He's definitely getting less touches than Bell has in the past years. Since the Cleveland game (where I'll say he was overused), he hasn't rushed over 24 times. Maybe since it's a short week, he might deserve a 'veterans day off', even though he's just a 2nd year player? haha though I think it's safe to say he's earned the trust of the team.

Conner's success in the past 4 games is a huge reason why the Steelers have won the last 4, have to stick with what is working.

[Born2Steel]

You do realize what you just typed.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

I am pretty sure I do. Why? What did you read?

[EzraTank]

I am pretty sure I do. Why? What did you read?

My bad, I misread your post. I thought you said they were feasting on weaker defenses ...

[steel striker]

Should be a good game and, it's a short week I like our chances. Contain Cam and, Olson get Conner going I think the Steelers win this one 34-24. Please don't let it come down to a kick.

[Fire Goodell]

We have a few things going for us in this game:
- Carolina scored 30+ points in 4 games, all of those were at home..
- They're 1-2 on the road, and a short week is bad news for a team that doesn't play well on the road
- Their defense allows 4.3 yards per rush, Tied for #15 in the league. James Conner can have another big day.

If the offense can continue its ways and force Carolina to play catch up, we can take this one pretty convincingly imo. If we score 30 we should have this in the bag. I just hope the defense can continue its upward climb.

[polamalubeast]

1059579716137639936

[GoSlash27]

I don't see our basic game plan changing just because it's a short week. If anything, I expect the opposite. Conner will get plenty of carries so long as we don't have to play catch up.

[teegre]

TNF doesn’t allow for much gameplanning. It’s usually just “line up and play.” Ergo, this is the type of game that just by having superior talent the Steelers should win. As in: look for AB to have a “highlight reel” type of game.

[polamalubeast]

TNF doesn’t allow for much gameplanning. It’s usually just “line up and play.” Ergo, this is the type of game that just by having superior talent the Steelers should win. As in: look for AB to have a “highlight reel” type of game.

But the problem is that the offense of the panthers is unique and this is very hard to prepare against this offense

It's probably the only offense that plays like that because of Cam Newton .... It's going to be a challenge.

[teegre]

But the problem is that the offense of the panthers is unique and this is very hard to prepare against this offense

It's probably the only offense that plays like that because of Cam Newton .... It's going to be a challenge.

True... it cuts both ways.

That said, BB, AB, JuJu, Conner, and our O-line are all top-notch. I foresee the Panthers having (more) problems stopping is.

[GoSlash27]

But the problem is that the offense of the panthers is unique and this is very hard to prepare against this offense

It's probably the only offense that plays like that because of Cam Newton .... It's going to be a challenge.
Which is why we're not going to alter the strategy. There's not enough time to properly prep for it. The best way to counter Cam Newton is to keep the ball out of his hands with a heavy dose of run.

[Rotorhead]

They can just play similar to what they had prepped for Jackson, keep contain on Cam.

[polamalubeast]

1059840821002813440

[polamalubeast]

Ben will run the show thursday like last year in our thursday night game vs Titans...

1059844111363137542

[stillers4me]

1059860722442792960

[Lady Steel]

Here's what Panthers' fans are saying...



https://www.reddit.com/r/panthers/comments/9upxtx/discussion_threads_on_rsteelers/


https://www.carolinahuddle.com/boards/topic/153046-official-panthers-at-steelers-thursday-night-predictions-thread/


http://www.panthersfanz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/1059-road-trip-pittsburgh/


http://www.carolinapanthersforum.com/threads/panthers-vs-steelers-running-commentary.198012/

[polamalubeast]

1060186678390808576

[polamalubeast]

1060155101061541889

[GoSlash27]

Injury report: Big Dan McCullers is out. I don't know who we'd use to back up Javon Hargrave.
Marcus Gilbert is also out. Not a problem, since Matt Feiler has shown he's got it on lock down.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Limiting Olson and McCaffrey are my most worrysome parts of this game. I think Ben and the O can be fine, just dont want to give those 2 a big day.

[Fire Goodell]

Here's what Panthers' fans are saying...



https://www.reddit.com/r/panthers/comments/9upxtx/discussion_threads_on_rsteelers/


https://www.carolinahuddle.com/boards/topic/153046-official-panthers-at-steelers-thursday-night-predictions-thread/


http://www.panthersfanz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/1059-road-trip-pittsburgh/


http://www.carolinapanthersforum.com/threads/panthers-vs-steelers-running-commentary.198012/

Their fans are too nice, well compared to comments i usually see from Ravens or Bengals fans :chuckle:

[BlackAndGold]

I hope Burnett is ready to go and knocked off the rust, he's going to need to stick with Olson.

[cold-hard-steel]

The best way to handle Newton is long clock burning drives each resulting in TDs. Resulting in not getting a good look at Cam, in return resulting in the fact we won't get a good look at how our defense has been improving with each game.Resulting in our defense getting to rest for say 46.18 minutes of the contest. I like it. So like 3 td drives of about 11.545 minutes win us the game.

[AtlantaDan]

Temps in high 30s with light wind and almost no chance of rain tonight

https://weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/l/15241:4:US

Line opened at 5 now down to 3&1/2 ($$$ to road team Panthers as happened with line movement to Steelers against Ravens last week)

http://www.vegasinsider.com/nfl/odds/las-vegas/line-movement/panthers-@-steelers.cfm/date/11-08-18/time/2020#BT

If the Panthers blitz more than five times, they’ll lose. Most of Carolina’s blitzes are fire zones, meaning the coverage behind the blitz features three defenders deep and three underneath. Fire zones do not hold up if a quarterback extends the play—which Ben Roethlisberger, even at 36, still does as well as almost anyone. Score: Steelers 27, Panthers 21

https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/11/07/panthers-steelers-thursday-night-football-week-10

[Mojouw]

Let's see....things that the Steelers defense doesn't do well with:

1. Containing Mobile QBs
2. Pass catching TEs who can get open down the hashes
3. Pass catching RBs who can get out in space
4. Big WR that can bully smaller CBs on deep routes

I'll just check some notes here about the Panthers...well crap. It seems they have all of those things.

[EzraTank]

The best way to handle Newton is long clock burning drives each resulting in TDs. Resulting in not getting a good look at Cam, in return resulting in the fact we won't get a good look at how our defense has been improving with each game.Resulting in our defense getting to rest for say 46.18 minutes of the contest. I like it. So like 3 td drives of about 11.545 minutes win us the game.

If Bud Dupree runs 10 yards up field on every play Newton is going to take his lane and kill us all night with his feet. The key to stopping Newton is containing him to the pocket and making him beat you with this arm. His accuracy is suspect. Also GANG tackle him. First guy wrap up then let help get him down.

That said, I expect Olsen to have a HUGE night like Kelce did against our defense.

He'll be killing us all night:

https://i.chzbgr.com/full/6763945728/hC27701EE/

[DesertSteel]

I’m calling for a coming out party for James Washington!! Splash play!

[86WARD]

JuJu Night. Him matched up against Munnerlyn? Mid-match from heaven...lol

[AtlantaDan]

1060640284651016192

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLTXH5ZNDwg

:yup:

[DesertSteel]

Tonight the Steelers become the first team in NFL history to have a 250-yard passer and a 100-yard rusher in 5 straight games.

[DesertSteel]

Cam's cleats tonight. Pretty classy.

https://i.postimg.cc/v8v1sHhT/Cam-Cleats-1541718759780-13626341-ver1-0-640-360.jpg

[Hawkman]

Cam's cleats tonight. Pretty classy.

https://i.postimg.cc/v8v1sHhT/Cam-Cleats-1541718759780-13626341-ver1-0-640-360.jpg

Damn, that really is classy.

[pczach]

Awesome move by Cam.

:applaudit:

[EzraTank]

Ok who thought it was going to be a long night when they came out and basically walked down the field to make it 7-0?

[Fire Goodell]

Ok who thought it was going to be a long night when they came out and basically walked down the field to make it 7-0?

I thought so, especially since we had trouble stopping McCaffery. Fortunately we got a big enough lead to take him out of the game. That dude is dangerous

[Lady Steel]

The key to stopping Newton is containing him to the pocket and making him beat you with this arm. His accuracy is suspect. Also GANG tackle him. First guy wrap up then let help get him down.


BOOM!

[Mojouw]

I’ve never been so glad to be wrong about a game!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Craic]

Ok who thought it was going to be a long night when they came out and basically walked down the field to make it 7-0?

https://thesweetsetup.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/img2.gif

[AtlantaDan]

I’ve never been so glad to be wrong about a game!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You were in good company with a lot of folks about the Panthers. Carolina was being talked up as potential dark horse NFC champ contender that could catch the Saints in the NFC South after beating up on a troubled Ravens team and a bad Tampa team at home.

Now they will only be one game ahead of the Falcons if Atlanta beats Cleveland and in a fight to get a wildcard.

Of course if the Steelers had lost at home to a good team last night (after the Panthers scored on their opening drive I saw another Chiefs/Ravens slow start at home coming) our collective mood would be a lot more downbeat too. :chuckle:

[Fire Goodell]

You were in good company with a lot of folks about the Panthers. Carolina was being talked up as potential dark horse NFC champ contender that could catch the Saints in the NFC South after beating up on a troubled Ravens team and a bad Tampa team at home.

Now they will only be one game ahead of the Falcons if Atlanta beats Cleveland and in a fight to get a wildcard.

Of course if the Steelers had lost at home to a good team last night (after the Panthers scored on their opening drive I saw another Chiefs/Ravens slow start at home coming) our collective mood would be a lot more downbeat too. :chuckle:

They still can be imo. Thursday night games are a big disadvantage for the visiting team, so I don't think the Panthers are as bad as they looked

[AtlantaDan]

Possible explanation for Reid being so aggressive when going after Ben - if the worst that can happen is a 15 yard penalty why not try to knock the QB out of the game?

Eric Reid: I didn’t even know you could be ejected in the NFL

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/11/09/eric-reid-i-didnt-even-know-you-could-be-ejected-in-the-nfl/

As was the case with the Steelers not falling on a free kick the Browns recovered several weeks ago, the extent of NFL players not knowing the rules that apply to their jobs is surprising

[DesertSteel]

They still can be imo. Thursday night games are a big disadvantage for the visiting team, so I don't think the Panthers are as bad as they looked
This is overstated. I looked up the TNF records yesterday and the visiting team wins quite often.

[AtlantaDan]

This is overstated. I looked up the TNF records yesterday and the visiting team wins quite often.

But I think what can happen is both teams go into the game tired and if you get behind by a lot early that team can say screw it I'm out until next week and a loss snowballs into a blowout

The past 6 Thursday night games have not been close. That may have a lot to do with some really bad teams being on the schedule but bad teams are capable of playing close games in the 2018 basketball on turf version of the NFL

Patriots 38, Colts 24
Eagles 34, Giants 13
Broncos 45, Cardinals 10
Texans 42, Dolphins 23
49ers 34, Raiders 3
Steelers 52, Panthers 21

[polamalubeast]

Possible explanation for Reid being so aggressive when going after Ben - if the worst that can happen is a 15 yard penalty why not try to knock the QB out of the game?

Eric Reid: I didn’t even know you could be ejected in the NFL

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/11/09/eric-reid-i-didnt-even-know-you-could-be-ejected-in-the-nfl/

As was the case with the Steelers not falling on a free kick the Browns recovered several weeks ago, the extent of NFL players not knowing the rules that apply to their jobs is surprising

Remember when Donovan McNabb did not know in 2008 that tie games in the nfl existed even if McNabb was in the NFL when the falcons/steelers had a tie game in 2002.

Also, the Eagles had played against the Falcons in the playoffs in 2002, so we can not say that McNabb had looked at the record of his opponent!

[86WARD]

Possible explanation for Reid being so aggressive when going after Ben - if the worst that can happen is a 15 yard penalty why not try to knock the QB out of the game?

Eric Reid: I didn’t even know you could be ejected in the NFL

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/11/09/eric-reid-i-didnt-even-know-you-could-be-ejected-in-the-nfl/

As was the case with the Steelers not falling on a free kick the Browns recovered several weeks ago, the extent of NFL players not knowing the rules that apply to their jobs is surprising

It’s Danny Smith’s job to make sure everyone is informed and knows situational football. It’s more his fault than anyone’s.

[GoSlash27]

They still can be imo. Thursday night games are a big disadvantage for the visiting team, so I don't think the Panthers are as bad as they looked
They're definitely not as bad as they appeared last night, but we exposed the key to beating them: Hit Cam Newton. Unless you're absolutely certain that someone else has the ball, just pop Cam. They'll make a drive or two, sure... but it ends all that "trickeration" nonsense, which is the foundation of their entire offense. If they don't want Cam leaving on a stretcher, then he'll have to stand behind his line and beat us with his arm, and that's when they lose. Cam Newton is not a good pocket passer and his line isn't good in pass protection.
If only it was that easy to shut down the west coast offense :(