Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Carolina Panthers: Complete Week 3 Preview for Carolina
The Carolina Panthers (2-0) have gotten off to a great start for the first time with Ron Rivera as head coach. Despite a couple of key players missing time due to injuries (Cam Newton and DeAngelo Williams) and another because of legal troubles (Greg Hardy), the Panthers have rallied behind one another and have taken early control of the NFC South.
Sunday night will mark a rematch from their preseason schedule as Carolina squares off against the Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1). Carolina took the exhibition round at Heinz Field in a 10-0 affair that capped off its slate of August games. It may not be the same story this time around, but the dominant defense that was present last month has been the driving catalyst for why the Panthers are where they're at today.
A lot has transpired this past week, and while there have been incidents that probably should have never happened this season, Carolina has been caught up in both the good and the bad aspects of the NFL. The "good" involves the Panthers as one of the seven teams to win their first two games, while the "bad" has potentially seen Hardy gone for much, if not the remainder, of the season.
Hopefully, earning a third win will help in casting a shadow over the negative press and keep Panthers football solely on the gridiron where it belongs. The following preview has the breakdown for the prime-time matchup with the Steelers.
Carolina Panthers Week 2 Recap
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Who would have thought the Carolina Panthers could limit the Detroit Lions to only seven points?
That is exactly what happened last week as the Panthers earned a 24-7 win. Calvin Johnson did have a solid game, but the Carolina secondary, spearheaded by the efforts of Melvin White, prevented the All-Pro receiver from scoring. Matthew Stafford didn't fare much better either as he was sacked four times by a very aggressive and motivated defense.
Cam Newton was strong in his season debut and found Jason Avant for a touchdown. Jerricho Cotchery saw plenty of targets and was on the receiving end of a successful two-point conversion. Tight end Greg Olsen continued to be the go-to guy in the offense and did his part to move the chains last week.
It was a big win against a pass-happy offense, and with two games each against similar offenses in New Orleans and Atlanta, this game served as an excellent measuring stick.
News and Notes
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At least that will be the case as it pertains to the football field. Based on the amount of negative press and off-field player misconduct the NFL has dealt with the past year and early into this season, the Carolina Panthers have decided to place Greg Hardy on the league's exempt list until his appeal can be heard.
As it stands, the former Pro Bowl defensive end may not rejoin the team until the middle of November. This is not exactly something a team wants from a player who is signed under the franchise tag. Essentially, $13.1 million has been wasted. Luckily, the Panthers have received solid play from Mario Addison as a rotational player.
If Kony Ealy can emerge, the absence of Hardy will be a lot easier to deal with over the coming weeks. After all, last week's game proved the Panthers can generate a great pass rush regardless of who is on defense.
The writing has been on the wall, and if last week was any indication, the Panthers need some depth at running back. This past week, the team added Lache Seastrunk to the practice squad. A sixth-round pick of the Washington Redskins in last May's draft, the former Baylor product led the Big 12 in rushing last year. Whether or not that translates to the NFL remains to be seen, but it would be a nice plus for Carolina, which has seen starter DeAngelo Williams hampered by a sore thigh.
Considering the injuries suffered by both Mike Tolbert and Fozzy Whittaker last week, having Seastrunk develop into a quality backfield option would do wonders for a team that wants to limit the number of scrambles by its quarterback.
While the Carolina running backs are banged up, the men responsible for finding them running room and creating lanes have come up short in this particular aspect of the game. The pass protection has been good, but the breakdown in the trenches is leaving the Panthers with small gains and hurt players.
Such a failure resulted in Mike Tolbert getting hurt last week, as he was stood up at the line by four Detroit players. Tolbert makes his living as a short-yardage specialist and touchdown machine near the goal line. If he can't get the kind of blocking necessary to pick up yards and put points on the board, Carolina becomes one-dimensional. That goes for every running back on the roster.
Carolina center Ryan Kalil put it best, telling David Newton of ESPN.com: "It's a little bit of the offensive line not doing a good job of being consistent. We've done a really good job of pass blocking, but we just have to be better [run blocking]. We can't have a 'my bad' from one player on one play and then another guy the next play."
The line needs to make improvements and do it fast; the long-term health of the Panthers season depends on it.
Injury Report
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Jason Avant, WR (Thigh) - Questionable
Byron Bell, OT (Toe) - Probable
Kelvin Benjamin, WR (Knee) - Probable
Philly Brown, WR (Ankle) - Probable
Nate Chandler, OT (Toe) - Probable
Jerricho Cotchery, WR (Thigh) - Questionable
Thomas Davis, OLB (Hip) - Probable
Dwan Edwards, DT (Back) - Probable
Greg Olsen, TE (Calf) - Probable
Mike Tolbert, FB (Chest) - Probable
Fozzy Whittaker, RB (Thigh) - Doubtful
DeAngelo Williams, RB (Thigh) - Questionable
Garry Williams, OT (Thigh) - Probable
Source: Panthers.com
Update: September 19th, 10 p.m.
Everyone on the injury report participated in practice except for Jerricho Cotchery and Fozzy Whittaker. The good news is it seems that the majority of the starting roster and depth chart players will be able to play Sunday night. Colin Cole was listed on the injury report as well, making the list as non-injury related. He did not take part in practice on Friday. As has been the case all week, closely monitor the status of the backfield. DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert may be limited in action or not play at all. If that is the case, expect Jonathan Stewart and Darrin Reaves to get the majority of the reps (assuming the latter is promoted from the practice squad).
End of Update
The Carolina Panthers have seen their injury report blow up this week. Players like DeAngelo Williams and Garry Williams could still be questionable as neither practiced this week. Mike Tolbert and Fozzy Whittaker left last Sunday's game early and could be listed questionable as well.
With the exceptions of Jason Avant and Greg Olsen who were limited in practice, the rest of the list did not participate in Wednesday's workouts. Thursday proved to paint a more optimistic picture as six of the listed players on the injury report fully participated in practice, while there were four who were limited in practice and three who did not participate at all. Those three were Williams, Whittaker and Jason Avant.
The main concern here is the health of the running backs and with the running attack not getting off to a good start, it could be more of an issue than it really should be. Stay tuned for updated information regarding the Carolina injury report.
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X-Factors and Matchups to Watch
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Carolina Offense vs. Pittsburgh Defense
Yes, this sounds a bit ridiculous because this is essentially what competitive sports are all about. However, the woes of the Carolina rushing game (25th overall) and the 712 yards of offense allowed by the Pittsburgh defense over the past two games could come to a head. This makes the matchup intriguing, and if the Panthers can take advantage of a leaky defense, it will have an incredible edge.
It doesn't help matters any that the Steelers have been outscored 50-9 over the past six quarters. Carolina could use the less-than-stellar defense to its advantage, as its middling passing game (15th overall) could get a boost. As of now, the Carolina passing game is averaging 236 yards per game, an improvement over last year's 190 yards per game. It wouldn't be shocking to see Cam Newton put up some big passing numbers.
Carolina Front Seven vs. LeVeon Bell
Le'Veon Bell averaged 5.3 yards per carry last week and ranks second in the league with 304 rushing yards. Carolina boasts a run defense that has allowed just 86 rushing yards per game. This could be a critical matchup the Steelers need to win if they are to leave Charlotte with a victory.
The Panthers have made it a habit not to give up too many yards on the ground, and it appears they have picked up from where they left off last year despite the absence of Greg Hardy. Shutting down the Pittsburgh rushing attack will force the offense to go to the air more often, and that will leave Ben Roethlisberger contending with a strong pass rush and a surprisingly effective secondary.
Kelvin Benjamin vs. Pittsburgh Secondary
It's a given that rookie Kelvin Benjamin will be on the receiving end of double coverage Sunday night. After a strong debut at Tampa Bay, he was mostly quiet in the Panthers' home opener. Still, he has made a name for himself, and if he can show off sure hands early, the Steelers will have no choice but to concentrate their coverage on him. This will allow fellow pass-catchers Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant and Greg Olsen to slip under the radar and potentially make big plays.
If one thing is known about Cam Newton, it is that he will spread the ball around.
Carolina's X-factor of the Week: Cam Newton
The lingering questions about the health of the Carolina running backs could put the weight of the entire offense on Newton's shoulders. This would not be the first time he has carried a team, but after an offseason that saw him recover from ankle surgery and a preseason that delivered a hairline fracture to his rib, the Panthers coaches would prefer him not to be the center of attention on each and every play.
That's not to say other backs won't get their touches, because they will. It's just that Newton may be called upon to run a few more read-options or other designed plays that cater to his strengths. With any luck, the offensive line has a great day blocking and the Carolina receivers stay open long enough to allow Newton to do the most damage through the air.
The Panthers' stout defense will do its part, but Newton will have to ensure he can get his team points and put Carolina in a position to win.
Prediction
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The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't been that good two weeks into the season. On the other hand, the Carolina Panthers have emerged as one the nicest surprises of the season's first month. There is reason to believe that this “second” game between the two will be similar to the first and be a hard-hitting, low-scoring affair. Of course, this time around, the starters on both sides will play the entire game, so a shutout may not be in order.
Then again, one must not count out the strength of the Carolina defense.
If Cam Newton can keep the offense clicking and engineer scoring drives on the majority of the Panthers' possessions, Carolina should come away victorious. It's been 11 seasons since the Panthers started out 3-0, and a win would give Ron Rivera his most successful September as head coach during his four-year tenure.
Prediction: Carolina 28, Pittsburgh 13
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