Final: Steelers beat Panthers 24-16
Posted December 18, 2022 2:23 p.m. EST
Updated December 18, 2022 3:55 p.m. EST
Interim head coach Steve Wilks asked Carolina Panthers fans to 'Fill the bank' this week as the team hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers. Steelers fans, like fans of other visiting teams in Charlotte this season, took over Bank of America Stadium in the absence of Panthers fans.
The Steelers beat the Panthers 24-16.
To the delight of the Pittsburgh faithful, the Steelers were on the board first in the opening quarter.
After the Steelers defense forced the Panthers to punt on the opening possession on a three-and-out, the Steelers offense put together a 12-play, 67 yard drive which ended in Najee Harris bullying his way into the end zone on a 7 yard run, pushing Panthers cornerback Keith Taylor away. The Steelers led 7-0.
The Steelers didn't allow the Panthers to get their run game going as they had been doing since Wilks took over the team. Because of that, Ben McAdoo adjusted and Sam Darnold began slinging it. He completed four third down conversion throws to Terrace Marshall and DJ Moore, who pulled in two apiece.
The drive ended with Darnold threading the needle to Moore on a five yard touchdown pass to Moore on 3rd & 5 which tied the game at 7 apiece in the second quarter. This was the only drive of the first half where the Panthers didn't go three-and-out.
The Steelers quickly answered on the next drive. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky found rookie George Pickens for a 38 yard completion to move the ball into Panthers territory. Jaylen Warren capped off the drive with a two yard touchdown run to give the Steelers the 14-7 lead.
Steelers led 14-7 at the half and will receive to begin the third quarter.
The Steelers controlled possession of the ball to start the second half with a 21-play, 91 yard drive, taking up 11:43 of the quarter before the Panthers would be able to touch the ball. The drive ended on a Trubisky keeper up the gut.
The next drive for the Panthers was highlighted by a 45-yard reception by Chuba Hubbard. But after two straight sacks, the Panthers were forced to punt. The team lost 18 yards total on those back-to-back sacks.
During the dead ball between the third and fourth quarters, Steelers linebacker Marcus Allen joined the Panthers huddle and was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, which kept the drive going. Carolina would have to settle for 29-yard Eddie Pineiro field goal bringing the Panthers within 11. 21-10 Steelers.
Steelers penalties kept the Panthers in the game in the fourth quarter. Cameron Sutton was called for a pass interference call against Marshall which got the Panthers inside the five yard line on their next drive. But the Panthers had to settle for a 32 yard Pineiro field goal, bringing the score to 21-13.
The defensive struggles continued for the Panthers when the Steelers converted a 3rd & 14 in their own territory to keep the chains moving. And more importantly, keeping the clock running.
The Steelers converted 12 of 15 third downs.
