Sunday Night Football Steelers vs. Panthers Week 3 Picks & Predictions
By Anthony Rome
CHARLOTTE, NC (The Spread) - Will the Panthers run their record to 3-0 when they host the Steelers tonight at 8:30PM ET on "Sunday Night Football?"
PITTSBURGH: The Steelers failed to cover as 2.5-point road underdogs last week in a 26-6 loss to the Ravens. Ben Roethlisberger completed 22-of-37 passes for 217 yards with one interception and didn’t receive much help from his offensive mates outside of Antonio Brown, who caught 7-of-12 targets for 90 yards in the loss. With their 1-1 record, the Steelers have failed to cover for bettors in back-to-back weeks.
CAROLINA: The Panthers improved to 2-0 on the year with a 24-7 win over the Lions in Week 2 and covered as a 1-point home favorite. Cam Newton was 22-of-34 for 281 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in his first game of the regular season, while tight end Greg Olsen caught 6-of-8 targets for 72 yards and Jason Avant had a touchdown reception. Carolina’s stout front seven held Reggie Bush (26 yards) and Joique Bell (36) in check and continue to have one of the best run defenses in the league. That said, the team placed DE Greg Hardy on the NFL’s expect/commissioner’s permission list earlier this week, which stems from his conviction of domestic assault in July. He’ll now stay away from the team for an undetermined amount of time while collecting his $13.116 million guaranteed salary.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Panthers are 3-point favorites over the Steelers while the total is currently sitting at 42 points. Carolina opened as a 3-point favorite and that's where the number currently sits, while the total opened at 40.5 before being bet up.
NFL FREE PICK: Take the under. According to latest NFL trends, the under is 6-0 in the Panthers' last six games in Week 3, 11-1 in their last 12 games overall and 6-1 in their last seven home games. The under is also 14-3 in their last 17 games on grass, 4-1 in their last five games in September and 16-5 in their last 21 games following an ATS win. Both of these teams are struggling offensively early in the season and Carolina has one of the best front sevens in football, which should hold Pittsburgh in check.
2014 NFL WEEK 3 FREE PICK: PANTHERS/STEELERS UNDER 42