Steelers – Panthers
Time: 8:30 PM ET
Spread: CAR -3.5
Total: 42.5

Betting odds c/o Bovada

The Carolina Panthers have opened the season 2-0, but will be without Greg Hardy who was convicted of an assault on a female and communicating threats on July 15.

Hardy’s trial is set for ov. 17. The All-Pro DE was deactivated hours before last week’s game, though he was originally said to be in the lineup.

Additionally, QB Cam Newton sat out the opening day 20-14 road win over the Tampa Bay Bucs with a rib injury. In Week 2, he went 22-of-34 for 281 adds and a TD in a 24-7 win over the Detroit Lions. Winning again this week would mark the Panthers first 3-0 start in 11 years.

The Panthers certainly seemed fine without Hardy last week, as the team forced three turnovers again, and also recorded seven sacks, which ties Carolina for the most in the NFL.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-1 and lost last Thurs 26-6 to the Baltimore Ravens. Ben Roethlisberger threw 22-of-37 for 217 yards with one INT. The Steelers have given up 712 yards of offense in its first two games and over the last six quarters, the Steelers have been outscored 50-9. Moreover, the Steelers had nine penalties vs Baltimore, and the team now has 20 penalties for 171 yards this season.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Pittsburgh has yet to generate a single TO by the opposition. Le’Veon Bell has been one of the few silver linings, as he is averaging 5.3 yards per carry and has generated 304 yards from the line of scrimmage. This will be a big test for him against a Panthers team that is a great run defending defense, allowing just 86 yards per game.

The Steelers are 4-1 vs Carolina, and won the last four matchups by an average of 21 points. The last meeting between the squads was in 2010, and Carolina haas won 13 of its last 14 games, including eight straight at home by an average of 16.6 points per contests. NFL oddsmakers seem to expect the Panthers to continue the good times and move to 3-0 by setting the line 3.5 points in favor of Carolina.

DeAngelo Williams is expected to return after missing last week with a thigh injury, and that will help the Panthers in the backfield.

Trends:

PIT: OVER 5-0 in last 5 game 3 weeks; 1-5 ATS in last 6 in week 3; OVER 4-1 in last 5 vs teams with winning records.

CAR: UNDER 6-0 in last 6 after winning by less than 15 points in week prior; UNDER 6-0 in last 6 games in week 3; UNDER 11-1 in last 12 overall.