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Edgar Chaput
Steelers vs. Panthers Point Spread: NFL Week 15 Odds, Prediction
The Steel Curtain has almost no hope of making the playoffs yet strives to ensure Mike Tomlin continues his brilliant streak of no losing seasons since arriving as head coach in 2007. Surprisingly, Carolina has a chance at partaking in meaningful January football, provided they overtake Tampa Bay and win the NFC South.
Steve Wilks’ Panthers are placed as 2.5-point favourites on the NFL odds. The over-under is 37.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Yet another interconference matchup in Week 15. As such, historical comparisons are far and few between. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that not only have the Steelers captured all five of the most recent encounters, but none were remotely close. The last one in 2018 was a 52-21 demolition derby.
As a testament to how Tomlin’s teams play prideful, tough football, the Pennsylvanian-based unit has mustered a 6-6-1 record against the spread this season despite the apparent doom and gloom permeating the club. They’ve conquered three of the past five opponents and, perhaps more critically for betters, are 4-3 ATS away from home.
Who says a mediocre effort for the season can’t translate to some success against the spread? Despite floating at 5-8 as far as wins and defeats are concerned, the squad has somehow performed to the tune of 7-6 ATS. The four most recent weeks speak for themselves, as the Panthers have collected victories in three and covered all four. They were expected to get blown out at Baltimore (+12.5) and “only” lost 13-3.
Pittsburgh Steelers
As previously stated, no matter how many deficiencies a Mike Tomlin-coached team has, they’ll play their hearts out. Look no further than at year’s squad. Regularly bemoaned by the pundits yet they still played a Wild Card game.
Another example came last week’s matchup against the hated Ravens. Granted, Baltimore was guided by their backup quarterback, but Pittsburgh nevertheless put in a commendable effort, out-gaining the Ravens and earning more first downs than their rivals. They moved the ball with relative efficiency, but the bad version of Mitch Trubisky showed up at the office. The maligned quarterback tossed three interceptions, an eye-opening stat given the final score was only 16-14.
Both rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett and running back Najee Harris are listed as questionable this week. The Steelers are only 24th defending the pass, but luckily for them, that’s not one of Carolina’s strengths.
Carolina Panthers
The Charlotte-based club has remarkably clawed its way into a divisional title race with Tampa Bay in the NFC South. That doesn’t speak highly of the division concerned given the Bucs’ 6-7 record, but somebody’s gotta win it.
The team meanders around the middle of the pack in almost all statistical categories except for the passing attack (30th), although they have strung together a quartet of solid outings as of late. Even the 13-3 defeat to the Ravens showed how stellar the team can be on the defensive side of the ball. Last Sunday’s 30-24 road slaying of the Seahawks demonstrated that Steve Wilks has his team playing to be best of its abilities and pouncing on its opponent’s weaknesses. Seattle has a porous run defence, prompting the Panthers to feed running backs Chuba Hubbard and D’Onta Foreman 35 total carries, and they gladly produced 148 yards total and a touchdown.
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