The question will continue to arise the next few weeks. Should the Pittsburgh Steelers organization want to be losing games in order to boost draft position, or is the current less than 1% chance of making the playoffs enough hope to root for victories? Of course, anyone inside the locker room would tell you the former is a foolish way of thinking, but the latter is a hard thing to positively hold onto given the chances. The road to the last month or so of the season will begin on Sunday when the team heads down south to take on the Carolina Panthers, who are somehow very much alive in the NFC South with a record of 5-8.
Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin creeps onto the field during a 2022 regular game against the New Orleans Saints at Acrisure Stadium. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh has absolutely dominated the all-time series versus Carolina. The franchise holds a 6-1 overall record since the Panthers first season in 1995. What is even more interesting is the Steelers have a six-game winning streak. It has been a conquering stretch with three different quarterbacks securing wins. Mike Tomczak, Tommy Maddox and Ben Roethlisberger all prevailed at least once.
The signal-caller who wasn't as lucky was Kordell Stewart, although he didn't start the game that resulted in defeat. Stewart came in to replace Tomczak in the middle of a late-season contest in 1996. Both teams were already going to the playoffs but playing for the opportunity to secure a bye. The young and at the time, backup quarterback, kept Pittsburgh in the game with his speed and ability to scramble.
They called him "Slash" and he did just that.
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) November 9, 2018
After starting the game on the bench, Kordell Stewart entered in the second quarter and almost immediately ripped off an 80-yard TD run.
(Dec. 22, 1996) @KSlash10 @steelers #CARvsPIT #TNF pic.twitter.com/9FB9eVVUYx
It was a brisk day in Charlotte back on December 22, 1996 with the two teams competing in 33-degree weather. Carolina prevailed 18-14 behind the leg of John Kasay who kicked three field goals in the second half, while Stewart's unit was held scoreless in the final two quarters.
Stewart ran the ball seven times for 102 yards and a touchdown. It has come up in today's day in age of football that he was ahead of his time due to his elusiveness and this contest is one of the reasons why. He would go on to be named the organization's starting quarterback in 1997 for the first time. He was even complimented by Tomczak afterwards, despite him replacing the veteran and throwing two costly interceptions that hurt the team's chances of winning:
“He grew up today,” Tomczak maturely stated about Stewart. “The guy makes plays. He’s electrifying out there.”
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 24: John Kasay #4 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates after kicking a 55 yard field goal against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
We are closing in on almost three decades since the last time that the Panthers were able to defeat the Steelers. With not much to play for in Pittsburgh, it is the exact opposite for Carolina as they attempt to catch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South. The franchise has not been able to beat the black and gold in this century as the six-game winning streak began in 1999. It's unlikely that the two meet again until four years from now, so with a loss, Carolina will presumably go over 30 years without a win when the two teams meet.
The Steelers are playing as underdogs looking to ruin playoff hopes, but also attempting to continue a dominant streak that dates back to before rookie wide receiver, George Pickens was even born.
Did you know that the Panthers haven't beaten the Steelers in 26 years? Let us know in the comments below!
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