Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers 2010 NFL Predictions, Odds, and Picks Week 16: Current head football coach John Fox will lead the Carolina Panthers to Heinz Field to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night at 8:20 PM ET on the NFL Network. Carolina enters the game on a winning streak getting their 2nd victory of the season at 2-12 4th in the NFC South while the Steelers are at 10-4 1st in the AFC North and looking to win out for a 1st round bye in the playoffs. Pittsburgh clinched a playoff berth last week while losing to the Jets but isn’t satisfied with just making the playoffs. “That wasn’t our goal to get in the playoffs. It is to win the division and we are still fighting for that,” lineback James Farrior told the team’s official website. “Everybody’s mindset is still the same. Even though we are in the playoffs, we want to win the division.” “The bye is important for any team in the league,” receiver Hines Ward said. “That is what we are playing for. It’s not saying we can’t do it if we don’t get the No. 2 seed. We have won it as the sixth seed. For us with the guys we have missing, Troy (Polamalu), (defensive end) Aaron (Smith) – guys like that – a bye would be crucial to us.” The odds makers at BetUS have the Pittsburgh Steelers -14 point favorites at home against the Carolina Panthers.
The Steelers lost their last game 22-17 at home against the New York Jets to move to 8-6 ATS for the season. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed 23 of 44 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown hitting Mike Wallace with 7 balls for 102 yards. Running back Rashard Mendenhall carried the ball 17 times for 100 yards and a score. Pittsburgh is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games at home. Vegas odds makers have the Pittsburgh Steelers as +650 odds to win the 2011 Super Bowl.
The Panthers won their last outing 19-12 at home over the Arizona Cardinals to move to 4-10 ATS for the season. “I don’t know what is down the road yet other than going to Pittsburgh on Thursday and finishing up in Atlanta,” Fox said. “It was fun to finish with a win here. It’s been a tough season for all of our fans, our organization, everyone in the locker room.” That sums up the season for the Panthers. . Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 37 points combined of the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
I predict a Steeler victory at home!
Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert NFL Football Predictions against the Vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.