Stormin Norman Rumack

Wow ! The Panthers won their second game of the season last weekend. As they say in the NFL, ‘on any given Sunday’…….. I don’t think there will be any big surprise upset in this particular Thursday night game. Tight end Heath Miller is expected to return from the injured list, but All- Pro safety Troy Polamalu will remain sidelined with a strained right Achilles tendon. Pittsburgh did clinch a playoff spot, in spite of losing to the Jets, although they haven’t wrapped up their division. As detailed by ESPN.com, their is a noticeable difference in the Steelers results, when he is in the lineup. They are 14-4 with him in the lineup the last two years, allowing 14.8 points per game, and created 41 turnovers. Without him, they are 5-7, and gave up 23.1 points, while manufacturing 11 turnovers. Polamalu is expected back for the playoffs. Prior to their defeat by the Jets, 22-17 last Sunday, Pittsburgh had won four straight, and they are now 10-4 overall, with three of those defeats at Heinz Field. Carolina is 2-12, and are winless on the road. The Steelers are 18th in passing, 8th in rushing, 24th defending the pass, and 1st in stopping the run. The Panthers are 32nd in passing, 12th in rushing, 8th against the pass, and 23rd versus the run. Prior to the Panthers 19-12 win over Arizona last weekend, they had lost seven in a row.

Steelers 31 Panthers 13.