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Steelers Overwhelm Carolina on TNF, 52-21

Christian McCaffrey helped the Carolina Panthers offense come out with a bang. Run CMC gashed the Steelers strong run defense for big runs of 12 and 21 yards. The Panthers used their star running back to score on cap off the drive with a 20-yard receiving touchdown. McCaffrey was responsible for 60 yards on the Panthers first drive.

Steelers answered back in amazing fashion. All it took was one play for the Steelers to even the score, as Ben Roethlisberger connected with
JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 75-yard touchdown pass. The score is even at 7-7 afterChris Boswell knocked in the extra point.

The defense gave Big Ben and the offense some nice support on the Panthers next drive. T.J. Watt was not fooled on a play-action pass by Cam Newton. Watt forced him to make a bad throw which landed right in the hands of Vince Williams for a pick-six. Steelers lead 14-7.

Big Ben got his favorite, Antonio Brown, some early action on their next drive. JuJu picked up a huge gain on a sweep play for a big first down, and James Conner took over from there. Conner ran the ball right through the Panthers defense and finished the drive for another score. Steelers lead 21-7, and we are still in the 1st quarter.

The Steelers got Roosevelt Nix involved on their next drive and he was incredibly effective on passing downs. Big Ben found AB for a huge 1st down of 34 yards, but the Steelers would look to Boswell to convert a 50-yard field goal on this drive. Boswell hits and the Steelers go up 24-7.

Newton looked like a different quarterback from the past two drives as he looked sharp and completed short passes with ease to chip away at Pittsburgh’s defense. Cam capped off this drive in the same fashion as their opening drive. McCaffrey took another short pass the distance, this time for a 25-yard touchdown. Panthers trail 24-14.

The Steelers offense continued to look absolutely unstoppable, Big Ben hit AB for a 53-yard touchdown for their 69th touchdown connection all-time. Big Ben looks locked in to this point.

Pittsburgh leads Carolina 31 to 14 at the half.

Big Ben and the offense kept up the pace they had established in the first half and Conner got back to work on this drive for Pittsburgh. The Steelers decided to spread the love, Roethlisberger connected with Vance McDonald for his third passing touchdown of the game. Steelers lead 38-14.

Pittsburgh’s defense continued to haunt Newton as Bud Dupree accounted for the Steelers fourth sack of the game, forcing a quick three and out.

Roethlisberger chipped away at Carolina’s defense before a big gain on a scramble. Unfortunately, Big Ben was victim to an unnecessary roughness call on a hit by Eric Reid. Reid was ejected after making amends with Roethlisberger. The drive would end with a short connection between Roethlisberger and Jesse James. Steelers lead 45-14.

Pittsburgh’s special teams had to join the fun as well, Nix punched the ball out of the hands of Curtis Samuel and Anthony Chickillo came in to swoop the ball up.

After the Carolina fumble, the Steelers had the ball right where they wanted it. Big Ben effortlessly tossed the ball to rookie Jaylen Samuels for a short touchdown. Steelers lead 52-14.

Carolina was able to find their way downfield once more with big help from McCafferey. McCaffrey got his third touchdown of the evening and added to the Panthers point total. Steelers still lead sizably, 52-21..

This was an impressive game all around for the Steelers, overwhelming Carolina every step of the way. Pittsburgh has now won five straight games and lead AFC North with a 6-2-1 record.

Stat Leaders for Pittsburgh

Ben Roethlisberger 22-25 328 Yards 5 Touchdowns

James Conner 13 Carries 65 Yards 1 Touchdown

Antonio Brown 6 Receptions 96 Yards 1 Touchdown

Jon Bostic 10 Tackles

Vince Williams 4 Tackles 1 Int 1 Def. Touchdown

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