Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Carolina Panthers: Spread Analysis and Pick Prediction

The Carolina Panthers welcomed starting quarterback Cam Newton back to the lineup with a victory last week to stay unbeaten, and they'll try to stay perfect on Sunday Night Football when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Newton missed the season opener with a rib injury but showed no signs of rust in leading the Panthers past the Detroit Lions 24-7 to cover the spread for the second straight game.

Now at 2-0, odds suggest they will return to the playoffs and become the underdog champion of the NFC South.

Point spread: The Panthers opened as 3.5-point favorites; the total was 41.5. (Line updates and matchup report)

Odds Shark computer prediction: 25.9-25.3 Panthers

Why the Steelers can cover the spread

Pittsburgh will have extra rest going into this game and plenty of time to think about what went wrong in a 26-6 road loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Thursday. Even though the Steelers have not played Carolina with Newton under center, they have practised extensively against another QB he is often compared to in their own Ben Roethlisberger.

While Newton played well last week in his return from injury, he also is not familiar with Pittsburgh other than what he has studied on film. Before failing to cover their first two games this year, the Steelers had won seven of eight against the spread dating back to last season, and they are also 7-3 in their past 10 straight-up.

Why the Panthers can cover the spread

The Panthers have been outstanding as home favorites in their last eight games, going an impressive 7-0-1 ATS. In fact, the only home game they did not cover during that stretch was a 30-20 win over the New York Jets last season as 10-point favorites, resulting in the push.

Newton proved against the Lions that he can work with whatever talent is available to him offensively, and that victory came without Carolina's all-time leading rusher, DeAngelo Williams, on the field. Williams is expected to return from a thigh injury and will give the Panthers another running weapon in addition to Newton and fellow running back Jonathan Stewart.

Smart Pick

The Steelers have not looked good defensively in either of their first two games, and that could be a big problem against Carolina in this spot.

Surrendering 27 points to the Cleveland Browns at home in the season opener was troubling enough, but now Pittsburgh needs to try to contain a far more dynamic QB than the team has seen yet this season.

On the other hand, the Panthers are the defending NFC South champions and have played like it so far this year. Their ATS record as home favorites recently speaks for itself and is reason enough to bet them again in what should be another impressive prime-time performance by Newton and his Carolina teammates.

Trends

• Pittsburgh is 5-0 ATS in its last five games when playing Carolina.
• Carolina is 10-4-1 ATS in its last 15 games.

Note: All spread and odds data powered by Odds Shark. Follow us on Twitter for injury updates and line move updates.