The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the 2-12 Carolina Panthers this Thursday night. A win will take them one step closer to locking up the division title and get a much needed first round bye in the playoffs. The Steelers will be entering this contest with something to prove, as they are not the type of team that want to back their way into the playoffs. Coming off a 22-17 loss to the Jets, the Steelers still managed to lock up a playoff spot; but doing so with a loss isn’t sitting well with the Steelers.
“I don’t like how it unfolded,” Tomlin said. “I feel like you’re crawling in on your belly.”
The Steelers should get back the services of Tight End Heath Miller, from a concussion. This will be a welcome addition as back up Tight End Matt Spaeth struggled in dropping a few passes he should have reeled in. Indications are pointing towards the team being without the services of Troy Polamalu again, who has been limited in practice. It may be in the Steelers best interest to get Troy as healthy as possible for the beginning of the playoffs. In other injury news, Aaron Smith continues his road back to the team and it still looks as though he could be ready for the playoffs, which makes a first round bye all that more important.
The Steelers will look to go 5-3 at home, a record that is not indicative of past Steeler teams. Heinz Field has always been a haven for the Steelers, but this year has them one loss from tying the worst home record in team history.
The Steelers are one of the better bounce back teams in the league and I expect nothing less than lopsided win this Thursday. Prediction: Steelers 35 Panthers 9
As an aside, here is a fun video put out by the Steelers attempting to sing some Christmas Carols:
Steelers Christmas
About the Author
Subscribe to author's RSS feed
Written by Jamie Van Dusen
