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Panthers aim for 3-0 start Sunday vs. Steelers
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 9/21/2014  at  5:38:00 AM
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PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-1)
at CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-0)

Kickoff: Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET
Line: Carolina -3, Total: 41.5

The Panthers look to stay perfect when they host the Steelers on Sunday night.

Pittsburgh went to Baltimore last Thursday night and lost 26-6 in an ugly offensive performance. QB Ben Roethlisberger went 22-of-37 for 217 yards and was unable to find the end zone while throwing one interception. This Steelers offense will again be tested against a Panthers defense that has been dominant to start the year. Carolina defeated the Lions, 24-7, in QB Cam Newton’s season debut last game. They were able to shut down one of the best offenses in football despite playing without star DE Greg Hardy, who had been benched because of his domestic violence conviction. Ron Rivera is 11-3 ATS after allowing seven points or less in the first half of two straight games as the coach of the Panthers, but is only 10-13 ATS after playing a home game. Pittsburgh also happens to be 0-6 ATS in September games over the last two years, but road teams where the line is +3 to -3, after two consecutive games where it forced one or less turnovers against an opponent after a game where it committed one or less turnovers are 66-32 ATS (67%) over the past 10 seasons. RB DeAngelo Williams (thigh) missed last week's game and is questionable to return on Sunday, while the Steelers could be without three offensive starters in WR Lance Moore (groin), RB Dri Archer (ankle) and WR Martavis Bryant (shoulder) who are all listed as questionable.

Can the Steelers hand the Panthers their first loss of the season? For the answer, connect to NFL Best Bets for all the StatFox Experts picks throughout the 2014 regular season and playoffs. During the 2013 campaign, the experts combined for a 52% ATS success rate in NFL Best Bets, highlighted by Brian's 60% ATS mark (41-27-6). Scott had a 54% ATS accuracy (36-31-3) on NFL Best Bets, while Gary was 53% ATS (26-23-3). Scott also thrived with his NFL Totals, finishing at 56% (40-31), capped off by a perfect 5-0 run in the postseason. Brian started the 2014 season with a perfect 6-0 record on NFL Totals.

The Steelers really struggled against the Ravens on Thursday night. QB Ben Roethlisberger will now need to get himself on track, but it’ll be tough going against a defense that allowed just seven points against the talented Lions offense. The Steelers would be wise to call plays where Roethlisberger is making high-percentage passes rather than letting him sling the ball all around the field. They should also make it a goal to get RB Le'Veon Bell more involved. Bell rushed 11 times for 59 yards against the Ravens, but once they fell behind, they abandoned the ground game. Bell did, however, make an impact in the passing game with five receptions for 48 yards. The Steelers defense has had a lot of trouble defending the run this season, allowing 170.0 rushing yards per game (29th in NFL), and that is a recipe for disaster in this league. While they are allowing just 186.0 yards per game through the air (7th in NFL), the other teams have been able to sustain drives by grounding-and-pounding. Pittsburgh has allowed 28.0 PPG in two weeks this season and will need to stop the run if it is going to improve on that number.

The Panthers are off to an excellent start to the season thanks to their dominant defensive unit that has allowed just 86.0 yards per game on the ground (6th in NFL). They’ll certainly be tested on Sunday night as they face one of the better runners in the league in Le'Veon Bell. Carolina was able to hold Lions star WR Calvin Johnson to six receptions on 13 targets, but covering Steelers top WR Antonio Brown could be tougher, as he is outstanding at getting himself open once a play breaks down. The Panthers’ offense should be better this week than they were against the Lions. QB Cam Newton was playing in his first game of the year against Detroit with a whole new group of receivers, but he still threw for 281 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. His timing with his pass catchers should be a lot better after real-game experience and another week of practice. Carolina may also be getting top RB DeAngelo Williams (thigh) back after a one-game absence. Williams ran hard in Week 1 against the Buccaneers, rushing for 72 yards on 14 carries. The Panthers will need his quickness out of the backfield as a compliment to the powerful running of both RBs Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert.


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