Two teams in the middle of quarterback quandaries square off on Sunday afternoon as the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Carolina Panthers. The Steelers had won three of four going into last week’s matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, but rookie signal-caller Kenny Pickett entered the concussion protocol and left the game, and the Steelers fell, 16-14. The Carolina Panthers are on their third quarterback of the year but find themselves in contention for the NFC South title, as Tampa Bay’s offense has fallen apart and Atlanta’s starting quarterback, Marcus Mariota, left the team after he got benched for Desmond Ridder. With wins in three of their last four games, including a 30-24 victory at Seattle last week, the Panthers are on the rise with Sam Darnold leading the offense. Which team will emerge victorious this week? Don’t miss our NFL betting preview.
NFL Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers
(Sunday, December 18)
When: Sunday, December 18, 2022, 1:00 pm ET
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: CBS
Radio: ESPN Radio
Live Stream: Sling TV
NFL Odds: Pittsburgh +1.5 / O/U 38.5
Why should you bet on the Steelers?
Will Kenny Pickett be available? Given the fact that this is his second concussion in ten games, and given the fact that the Steelers are just 5-8, it’s hard to argue that the team should rush to get him back. If Pickett can’t go, it would likely be Mitch Trubisky leading the offense. He completed 73% of his passes against the Ravens, but he had three interceptions to go along with his single touchdown pass. There’s also Mason Rudolph, but Rudolph has a way of turning the ball over at just the wrong time as well.
With that said, Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season while coaching the Steelers – and he’s led the team since 2007. The Steelers are sitting with eight losses, though, which means the next one would end that streak. His teams have tough defenses and are strong on both lines, which makes them difficult to pull away from. If you like the Steelers, you see the defense clamping down on Sam Darnold and getting some turnovers.
Why should you put your money on the Panthers?
The steadying hand of Steve Wilks has helped the Panthers turn things around. When Matt Rhule got fired, the Panthers looked like contenders for the #1 draft pick. P.J. Walker and Baker Mayfield had largely failed at guiding the offense. Then, Rhule got the door, the team released Mayfield, and Wilks gave the keys of the offense back to Darnold, and the wins have started – even without Christian McCaffrey.
Even in McCaffrey’s absence, the running game is still a strength for the Panthers. D’Onta Foreman posted two straight 100-yard games on the ground after the team traded McCaffrey, and Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear have also contributed with the run. Last week, the Ravens gashed Pittsburgh with the duo of Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, and if the Panthers can follow a similar formula, they have an excellent shot at winning.
Final Score and Prediction
You’re going to want to check Pickett’s status before locking in your wager, but the Panthers might be able to win even if Pickett plays. After all, they just went to Seattle and stopped a team led by Geno Smith, who has wowed observers this season. I predict a final score of Panthers 20, Steelers 16.
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