Sure it’s due solely to them being in the NFC South, but the Carolina Panthers are still in the playoff hunt even at 5-8. By contrast, Sunday’s opponent the Steelers are also 5-8 but they are in last place in the AFC North, four games back from Cincinnati in the win column. Either way Carolina has momentum with two straight wins, and they’re favored again on Sunday.
Before Betting on Steelers vs Panthers
The Carolina offense looks legit lately, averaging 26.5 ppg the last two which includes scoring 23 against a good Denver defense in week 12. The Panthers followed the win over the Broncos with a bye which helped better integrate QB Sam Darnold into the offense, and they responded with a 30-24 win in Seattle which is always a tough place to get a victory.
Darnold threw for just 124 yards in Seattle, but he had a TD and didn’t have any turnovers. What has really fueled the Panthers’ success the last two wins is their running game, as both D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard had 74 yards on the ground last week.
While Darnold may get the dreaded ‘game manager’ tag, the Steelers would love if their QB Mitch Trubisky would just protect the football and not throw three INTs like he did last week in a close 16-14 home loss to Baltimore. The Steelers were making some headway with wins in three of four with rookie Kenny Pickett under center, but he’s in concussion protocols and out Sunday.
Pittsburgh vs Carolina NFL Offshore Betting Odds
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | Steelers (2.23) | Panthers (1.69) | 37 | Steelers+2.5 (1.91) | Panthers -2.5 (1.91) |
| Bovada | Steelers (2.20) | Panthers (1.71) | 37.5 | Steelers+2.5 (1.91) | Panthers -2.5 (1.91) |
| BetUS | Steelers (2.25) | Panthers (1.69) | 37 | Steelers+2.5 (1.95) | Panthers -2.5 (1.87) |
| SportsBetting.ag | Steelers (2.23) | Panthers (1.69) | 37 | Steelers+2.5 (1.91) | Panthers -2.5 (1.91) |
| Pinnacle | Steelers (2.23) | Panthers (1.73) | 37.5 | Steelers+2.5 (1.92) | Panthers -2.5 (1.97) |
| MyBookie | Steelers (2.15) | Panthers (1.69) | 37.5 | Steelers+2.5 (1.95) | Panthers -2.5 (1.87) |
Steelers vs Panthers Prediction & Pick
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season since taking over the team 15 years ago, so can he put that off for one more week at least? Carolina’s ability to run the football is the X-factor here, and Trubiksy’s tendency to turn the ball over doesn’t help Pittsburgh’s chances here.
Pick: Panthers -2.5
