Thursday Night NFL Showdown: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Carolina Panthers Preview

With the end of the 2010-11 NFL season right around the corner, Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers look to clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs on Thursday Night against the Carolina Panthers.  

In order for this to happen, not only will the Steelers have to win, but the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens must also lose.  Although, if Pittsburgh wins their next two games, they have a bye in the first round regardless of what any other teams do.

On the other hand, the Carolina Panthers have had a miserable season, earning a 2-12 record which is currently the worst throughout the entire National Football League.  For the Panthers, this game is simply a morale booster .  If they can somehow defeat the Steelers, then Carolina can prove they may be some potential in this organization.

The following slides give a thorough preview of Thursday Night's matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers.

Playmakers at Wide Receiver

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 19: Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers points to the Arizona Cardinals sideline during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

No. 89 Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers

Season Stats: 43 receptions for 537 yards and touchdowns

No. 12 David Gettis, Carolina Panthers

Season Stats: 32 receptions for 470 yards and three touchdowns

No. 11 Brandon LaFell, Carolina Panthers

Season Stats: 34 Receptions for 405 yards and one touchdown

No. 17 Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers

Season Stats: 53 receptions for 1048 yards and eight touchdowns; five rushing attempts for 39 yards

No. 86 Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers

Season Stats: 51 receptions for 672 yards and four touchdowns

No. 88 Emmanuel Sanders, Pittsburgh Steelers

Season Stats: 23 receptions for 306 yards and two touchdowns

Edge: Pittsburgh Steelers

Running Back Comparison

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after running for a touchdown during the game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field on December 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty I

No. 34 Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers

Season Stats:

Rushing: 292 attempts for 1173 yards and 10 touchdowns

Receiving: 20 receptions for 125 yards

No. 33 Isaac Redman, Pittsburgh Steelers

Season Stats:

Rushing: 45 attempts for 192 yards

Receiving: Seven receptions for 63 yards and two touchdowns

No. 28 Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

Season Stats:

Rushing: 147 attempts for 668 yards and two touchdowns

Receiving: Seven receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown

No. 33 Mike Goodson, Carolina Panthers

Season Stats: 

Rushing: 97 attempts for 435 yards and three touchdowns

Receiving: 36 receptions for 298 yards

Edge: Pittsburgh Steelers

Stewart and Goodson will have a tough time being productive against the No. 1 overall ranked running defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Kicker Accuracy

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Shaun Suisham #6 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after kicking a 41-yard field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham

No. 6 Shaun Suisham, Pittsburgh Steelers

Season Stats: 10-10 FGM/FGA(38.5 AVG Yards), 11-11 XPM/XPA, with 41 total points

No. 4 John Kasay, Carolina Panthers

Season Stats: 23-27 FGM/FGA(38.7 AVG Yards), 16-16 XPM/XPA, with 85 total points

Edge: Pittsburgh Steelers

Since becoming the starting kicker for the Steelers, Shaun Suisham has been flawless, making every kicking attempt so far this season.

Injury Update

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05: Running back Mike Goodson #33 of the Carolina Panthers rushes against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won, 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers

RB Tony Fiammetta is listed as out and definitely will not play with an ankle injury

CB Chris Gamble did not participate in practice and is listed as doubtful for Thursday Night

DE Tyler Brayton is listed as questionable with a hip injury but has recently participated in practice

G Mackenzy Bernadeau is probable after suffering a knee injury

WR Armanti Edwards and RB Mike Goodson are both probable with an illness

CB Captain Munnerlyn is probable due to a matter which is not injury-related

LB Jordan Senn and T Garry Williams are both listed as probable with injuries to their knees, fully participating in practice

Pittsburgh Steelers

WR Arnaz Battle did not participate in practice and is listed as out with a chest injury

S Troy Polamalu has been listed as out after not participating in practice due to an ankle injury

DE Aaron Smith is also out with an injury to his triceps

DT Steve McLendon is listed as probable with a stinger

Quarterback Matchup

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers waves to fans as he walks off the field in celebration of their 13-10 win over the Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo

No. 7 Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Season Stats: 203-335 for 2600 yards, 14 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 92.6 QB rating; one rushing touchdown

Ben Roehtlisberger has been magnificent since returning from his suspension, leading the Steelers to a 7-3 record already clinching the playoffs.

No. 2 Jimmy Clausen, Carolina Panthers

Season Stats: 128-243 for 1304 yards, two touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 59.1 QB rating

The rookie out of Notre Dame has not turned out as expected so far.  It's still early in his career, but Clausen has looked quite awful in his eight starts this season posting a 1-7 record.

Edge: Pittsburgh Steelers

Roethlisberger has proven to be one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL, while Clasuen clearly needs some more time to mature and develop into the player Carolina expects him to be.

Performance against the Current Top 10 Teams

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 19: Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers cheers on his team during their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Carolina Panthers: 0-6

Pittsburgh Steelers: 2-4

The Panthers lost by an average of 18 points to the NFL's top competition, while Pittsburgh managed to come up with a much needed win against their division rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 13.

Coaches Resumes

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches his team during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Mike Tomlin

Age: 38

Overall Head Coaching Record: 41-21 in four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers

Playoff Record: 3-1, Super Bowl Champions in 2008

John Fox

Age: 55

Overall Head Coaching Record: 73-69 in nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers

Playoff Record: 5-3, NFC Champions in 2003

Edge: Pittsburgh Steelers

Overall Performance in 2010

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 19: Teammates Jon Beason #52 and Greg Hardy of the Carolina Panthers celebrate after a defensive stop during their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Overall Record: 10-4

Crucial Losses:

Week 4, 17-14 vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week 15, 22-17 vs. New York Jets

Key Wins: 

Week 1, 15-9 OT vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 13, 13-10 @ Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Overall Record: 2-12

Crucial Losses: Too many to list

Key Wins: None

Prediction

Karl Walter/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Matt Spaeth #89 of the Pittsburgh Steelers spikes the football after his touchdown during their game against the New York Jets at Heinz Field on December 19, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)

The Carolina Panthers snapped their seven-game losing streak in Week 15 against the Cardinals.  Jimmy Clausen had a solid performance completing 13-of-19 thrown passes for 141 yards, one touchdown, zero interceptions and a 107.6 QB rating.  

With a Week 15 loss to the New York Jets, the Steelers are now tied with the Baltimore Ravens atop the AFC North at 10-4.  With two fairly easy games remaining on their schedule, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers should have no problem defeating both the Carolina Panthers and the Cleveland Browns, clinching a first round bye in the 2011 NFL playoffs.

Pittsburgh Steelers 34 - Carolina Panthers 20