Who Will Win Steelers and Panthers Duel?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have overcome their slow start to the season to take control of the AFC North, but their hopes of challenging for a post-season bye will be tested by the Carolina Panthers.

Carolina have ambitions of making a surge for the top spots in the NFC playoff race, having reeled off three wins on the bounce. The club are one game behind their bitter rivals the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South and have to keep pace with Sean Payton’s men.

The Steelers continued their resurgence with a win over the Baltimore Ravens last time out. The triumph over their rivals in the AFC North nullified the tie-breaker between the teams that was held by the Ravens after their victory at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh’s winning run of four matches has put them atop the North and on course for another appearance in the post-season.

Ron Rivera’s men have been dominant at home, but now have the challenge to carry their form on the road. Cam Newton and his offense have been in sync, scoring 40 points last week and another 30 in the contest before against the Ravens. It will take a complete effort from the Panthers to get the win on the road facing an improving outfit.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have bounced back from their rough start to the campaign. Mike Tomlin’s side have won four matches in a row to regain their command of the AFC North. The Ravens had enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, including their win over Pittsburgh.

However, Tomlin’s men have now turned the tables on their rivals and can now look at taking a strong surge towards the playoffs. Roethlisberger has been solid and was his usual self against the Ravens, throwing two touchdowns. He has connected with Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster with regularity throughout the campaign, with Brown already notching nine touchdowns on the season.

Although the three players have been crucial in the Steelers’ success, James Conner has been the key man. Alarm bells would have been ringing when Le’Veon Bell refused to turn up to training camp. Bell has still not returned to the club due to his contract dispute, which could drag on until the end of the term.

Conner has ensured that the Steelers have not missed the All-Pro. He has replaced his production on the ground and through the air, scoring 10 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards from scrimmage through nine games. The 23-year-old has rushed for over 100 yards in the Steelers’ winning run and has become the cog from which the offense runs.

Pittsburgh’s defense has been good enough over the course of the campaign. TJ Watt has notched seven sacks, providing a threat in the pass-rush. Bud Dupree and Stephon Tuitt have also come to the fore. The secondary has recovered from a poor start to season.

There are elements of concern against the elite passing teams in the NFL. This week will be a major test of their level of play and whether they are able to contend with the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots in the AFC playoff race. Newton has talent in his arm and the receiving corps to succeed, leaving Joe Haden, Sean Davis, Artie Burns and Terrell Edmunds on the spot.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are trending towards an outside pick for the Super Bowl. Carolina have been coming up on the quiet with all the attention on the Saints and the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Conference. Rivera’s men face the Saints in two of the final three matches of the campaign. Those could be crucial in deciding which team is on the road in a potential meeting in the post-season. Carolina have a veteran team and will not look beyond their opponents.

Their confidence will be sky high entering the contest against the Steelers on the back of three wins on the bounce. The Panthers have dropped matches only against the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Redskins on the road. They’ve been flawless at home, but the defeats away from Bank of America Stadium could loom large. Rivera’s side have to prove a point by beating a quality outfit on the road.

Newton has been impressive this term, but especially excellent in the last three matches, playing clean football. He has thrown six touchdowns without an interception in his side’s winning run, while the 30-year-old added another score on the ground against the Ravens.

Newton’s dual-threat has not been diminished even as he plays into his eighth season. The quarterback has form a great connection with Christian McCaffrey, Devin Funchess and DJ Moore, with McCaffrey delivering on the promise that saw him selected eighth overall in the 2017 Draft. There’s more than enough talent to put Pittsburgh’s defense to the sword.

The Panthers’ defense has often been a source of their strength and it continues to be solid. They’re ranked 11^th in yards allowed, while they’re in a similar position in points. Rivera would not have been pleased with their performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last time out.

His side conceded 28 points to Ryan Fitzpatrick and company, making the contest closer than it should have been. Mario Addison is having another strong campaign leading the pass-rush with 7.5 sacks on the year. Luke Kuechly remains a tackling machine, although the onus has been lifted from his shoulders by Shaq Thompson, who is having a fine season.

Betting Options

It’s a hard contest to call given the Steelers’ improvement and Carolina’s issues on the road. The Panthers look the more complete unit on both sides of the ball, although they are the underdogs heading into the contest. Therefore for value back the Panthers to notch the win at Heinz Field to prove their Super Bowl credentials at odds of 2.75Bet €100 to win €2757/4Bet £100 to win £275+175Bet $100 to win $2751.75Bet HK$100 to win HK$2751.75Bet Rp100 to win Rp275-0.5714Bet RM100 to win RM275  with TopBet.

Given that the Steelers are favoured Carolina have an advantage on the spread take them on +2 with 888Sport at odds of 2.40Bet €100 to win €2407/5Bet £100 to win £240+140Bet $100 to win $2401.40Bet HK$100 to win HK$2401.40Bet Rp100 to win Rp240-0.7143Bet RM100 to win RM240 . The over/under line has been set by BetOnline at 51.5 points, take the under at 1.93Bet €100 to win €19393/100Bet £100 to win £193-108Bet $100 to win $1930.93Bet HK$100 to win HK$193-1.08Bet Rp100 to win Rp1930.9300Bet RM100 to win RM193 .

Brown has found the endzone nine times on the term. Back him to continue his streak at odds of 1.70Bet €100 to win €1707/10Bet £100 to win £170-143Bet $100 to win $1700.70Bet HK$100 to win HK$170-1.43Bet Rp100 to win Rp1700.7000Bet RM100 to win RM170 with 888Sport. Funchess has scored only three times on the season – he last notched a touchdown against the Eagles – take him to end the drought at odds of 2.65Bet €100 to win €26533/20Bet £100 to win £265+165Bet $100 to win $2651.65Bet HK$100 to win HK$2651.65Bet Rp100 to win Rp265-0.6061Bet RM100 to win RM265 . Conner has been on form in his last four matches, rushing for over 100 yards in each outing. Take him at odds of 1.85Bet €100 to win €18517/20Bet £100 to win £185-118Bet $100 to win $1850.85Bet HK$100 to win HK$185-1.18Bet Rp100 to win Rp1850.8500Bet RM100 to win RM185  to surpass 83.5 rushing yards at 888Sport.

Roethlisberger will need to have a strong outing throwing downfield for the Steelers. Back him at odds of 1.90Bet €100 to win €1909/10Bet £100 to win £190-111Bet $100 to win $1900.90Bet HK$100 to win HK$190-1.11Bet Rp100 to win Rp1900.9000Bet RM100 to win RM190  with 888Sport to throw more touchdowns than Newton at Heinz Field.

Tips Summary

Carolina Panthers To Beat Pittsburgh Steelers
Thursday 8^th November 2018 20:20 ET (Friday 9^th November 2018 01:20 GMT)
Odds: 2.75Bet €100 to win €2757/4Bet £100 to win £275+175Bet $100 to win $2751.75Bet HK$100 to win HK$2751.75Bet Rp100 to win Rp275-0.5714Bet RM100 to win RM275

Carolina Panthers +2 Spread
Thursday 8^th November 2018 20:20 ET (Friday 9^th November 2018 01:20 GMT)
Odds: 2.40Bet €100 to win €2407/5Bet £100 to win £240+140Bet $100 to win $2401.40Bet HK$100 to win HK$2401.40Bet Rp100 to win Rp240-0.7143Bet RM100 to win RM240

Under 51.5 Points To Be Scored
Thursday 8^th November 2018 20:20 ET (Friday 9^th November 2018 01:20 GMT)
Odds: 1.93Bet €100 to win €19393/100Bet £100 to win £193-108Bet $100 to win $1930.93Bet HK$100 to win HK$193-1.08Bet Rp100 to win Rp1930.9300Bet RM100 to win RM193

Antonio Brown To Score Touchdown Anytime
Thursday 8^th November 2018 20:20 ET (Friday 9^th November 2018 01:20 GMT)
Odds: 1.70Bet €100 to win €1707/10Bet £100 to win £170-143Bet $100 to win $1700.70Bet HK$100 to win HK$170-1.43Bet Rp100 to win Rp1700.7000Bet RM100 to win RM170

Devin Funchess To Score Touchdown Anytime
Thursday 8^th November 2018 20:20 ET (Friday 9^th November 2018 01:20 GMT)
Odds: 2.65Bet €100 to win €26533/20Bet £100 to win £265+165Bet $100 to win $2651.65Bet HK$100 to win HK$2651.65Bet Rp100 to win Rp265-0.6061Bet RM100 to win RM265

James Conner To Rush For Over 83.5 Rushing Yards
Thursday 8^th November 2018 20:20 ET (Friday 9^th November 2018 01:20 GMT)
Odds: 1.85Bet €100 to win €18517/20Bet £100 to win £185-118Bet $100 to win $1850.85Bet HK$100 to win HK$185-1.18Bet Rp100 to win Rp1850.8500Bet RM100 to win RM185

Ben Roethlisberger To Throw More Touchdowns Than Cam Newton
Thursday 8^th November 2018 20:20 ET (Friday 9^th November 2018 01:20 GMT)
Odds: 1.90Bet €100 to win €1909/10Bet £100 to win £190-111Bet $100 to win $1900.90Bet HK$100 to win HK$190-1.11Bet Rp100 to win Rp1900.9000Bet RM100 to win RM190