NFL Week 3 Preview and Predictions: Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers on Sunday Night Football
The third Sunday Night NFL Football game of the season is here at last, and the Carolina Panthers host the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Both of these teams have terrific defensive units, so football fans should get an old school game on Sunday night:
Carolina Panthers (2-0)
The Carolina Panthers are coming off an impressive win over the Detroit Lions. In that game, the Panthers elite defense allowed just seven points the entire game. Last season, the Panthers were the No. 2 ranked defense, only behind the Seattle Seahawks.
So far this defensive unit is off to a great start. In Week 1, they led the Panthers to a road win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Derek Anderson at quarterback. Linebacker Luke Kuechly is proving to everyone that he is one of the best defenders in the league.
Quarterback Cam Newton has been battling a rib injury, but he will playing against the Steelers on Sunday night. Despite losing their four best receivers from last season, the Panthers still have a great tight end in Greg Olsen. First round pick Calvin Benjamin has been a very reliable target, as well so far for Panthers quarterbacks.
The Panthers main focus will be stopping Le'Veon Bell and the Steelers high-powered rushing attack.
Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1)
This Steelers squad nearly fell to 0-2 after an embarrassing loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2, 26-6. In Week 1, the Cleveland Browns erased a 17-point defecit, but the Steelers eventually won the game with a game-winning Shaun Suisham field goal.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is a efficient player who can beat teams with his legs and arms, but he relies very much on his running game. Bell and LeGarrette Blount will be the most important players for the Steelers' offense. Wide receiver Antonio Brown is the Steelers' No. 1 option for Roethlisberger.
The Steelers' defense isn't what it once was, but it's still very good. Defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau has been the Steelers' defensive coordinator since 2004. Safety Troy Polamalu is still a very feared defensive player.
Road wins are tough to get in this league, but the Steelers need this game if they're going to keep pace with the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North.
Where and When to Watch
The Steelers will travel to Charlotte, North Carolina to face the Steelers on Sunday, Sep. 21. The game will kickoff at 8:30 p.m. EST on NBC.
Predictions
This should be a low scoring game between two great defensive teams. The Panthers are the favorites because they are a well balanced team and that defense just keeps getting better. The Steelers might just come away with the upset on the road. Expect Roethlisberger to have a big game in Charlotte.
Steelers win 17-14.
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