Panthers Favored To Snap Skid Against Pittsburgh

NFL News - September 3rd, 2009 - Written by John

It could have been a grinding Super Bowl matchup between two of the NFL's most physical teams.

Instead, fans will have to settle for preseason finale.

The defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers head south to Carolina to face the winless Panthers tonight, tying up the loose ends of the preseason at Bank of America Stadium. The teams were seeded highly during last season's playoffs and had a very real chance of meeting before the Panthers were stunned by eventual NFC Champion, Arizona Cardinals.

According to BetUS, the Panthers are three-point favorites at home with a payout of -120, but taking the Steelers against the spread has an even line. Taking the Steelers straight up will net a +150 payout.

The Panthers are 0-3 so far and a sputtering defense, with three starters injured, has allowed 32 points per game. Safety Charles Godfrey is recouping from and hand injury and linebackers Thomas Davis and Jon Beason are ailing from knee injuries. Quarterback Jake Delhomme has yet to throw a touchdown pass.

Pittsburgh is 2-1 with a slightly-altered defense after losing a couple key players from last year's Super Bowl team over the off-season. But the black and gold feel as if they are a more dynamic team regardless. Out are corner back Bryant McFadden and linebacker Larry Foote, but in is monster linebacker Lawrence Timmons, a first-round draft pick from 2007. Coaches are very high on Timmons, who is admittedly just now getting the hang of playing in the NFL.

The Steelers want to get an extended look at the depth of their running game. Last year's top pick, Rashard Mendenhall missed most of last season with a fractured left shoulder, and is looking to make an impact this year. After starter Willie Parker, it will be he and sixth-year man Mewelde Moore fighting for the second spot. Mendenhall has received the bulk of the preseason carries, rushing for 98 yards. Moore has only touched the ball once.

Running is something Carolina hasn't had an issue with in quite a while. The tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart has given the Panthers one of the league's most-feared rushing attacks, accumulating 2,351 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2009.

Thursday will be the only action that defensive tackle Louis Leonard will receive with the Panthers before the start of the season. Leonard was acquired yesterday from the Browns to replace starter Maake Kemoeatu, who was the fourth defensive player to be hit by the injury bug, suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon. Leonard played in every game last year with Cleveland and had 31 tackles.

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