NFL Matchups: The Pittsburgh Steelers struggles from last year have continued as their ground game is still struggling for consistency and their defense has been suspect overall and mauled by opponents on the ground. The Carolina Panthers boast one of the NFL’s top defensive units and QB Cam Newton continues his emergence as a solid pro.
The Carolina Panthers will host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday night with coverage on NBC starting at 8:30 PM ET. BetDSI opened with Carolina as a three point favorite with a total of 41.5.
Steelers Show Rust
Pittsburgh was dominated at arch rival Baltimore last week in a 26-6 Thursday night loss that the entire nation saw on CBS. The Steelers stand at 1-1 straight up, 0-2 against the spread, and 1-1 on totals. Pittsburgh ranks 19th in the NFL for rushing yardage and a helpeless 29th for rushing defense. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger continues to struggle and has a 82.0 QB rating and 1-2 TD-INT ratio.
Defense Powers Panthers
Carolina is 2-0 both SU and ATS and 0-2 under the total. The Panthers dominated Detroit in a 24-7 home payout last week. Carolina ranks fifth in the NFL for overall defense and second for scoring defense. Newton has an impressive 100.2 QB rating with a 1-0 TD-INT ratio. Running back DeAngelo Williams is averaging 5.1 yards per carry but is questionable with a thigh issue.
Matchup and Pick
The Steelers have done a decent job of holding their board value on the road with a mark of seven payouts in their last 13 away games as seven out of their last 11 away games have gone over the total. Carolina has been a strong betting commodity at home however with just two losses against the odds in their last 11 home games with eight out of their last 10 home games going under the total. Pittsburgh has dominated their head to head series with Carolina as the Steelers have gotten the money in their last five meetings against the Panthers as three out of the last four meetings between the Steelers and Panthers have gone over the total. Based on recent performance and their proven board value at home we’ll ride Carolina and under the total for this one.
