Pittsburgh (1-1) vs Carolina (0-2)
August 21, 2025 at 07:00 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Carolina +4.5 — Over/Under: +36.5
In this article we will formulate a Steelers vs Panthers prediction for this NFL game on Thursday, August 21st at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week three matchup in the preseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-1 this preseason after they lost to Tampa Bay by a score of 17-14 last week. Pittsburgh trailed 14-0 in the first quarter, but they did make up some ground and only trailed 14-7 at halftime. The Steelers tied the game at 14 in the third quarter, but they couldn’t find anymore points and lost on a last second field goal. Pittsburgh out gained TB by a total of 316-240, went just 2-12 on third down conversions, and lost the turnover battle 3-2 in the game. Skylar Thompson went 10-15 for 113 yards and one interception, Mason Rudolph went 3-5 for 46 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, and Logan Woodside went 4-9 for 45 yards and one interception in the loss. Kaleb Johnson rushed for 50 yards on 11 carries, while Roman Wilson caught two passes for 72 yards in the game. The Pittsburgh defense was led by Sebastian Castro, who recorded five total tackles, while Harmon picked up their lone sack.
Pittsburgh opened the preseason with a 31-25 win over Jacksonville and will look to finish the preseason with a winning record here. The Steelers will not play Aaron Rodgers in this game, so we should see Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson get the bulk of the playing time under center.
Carolina Panthers Betting Preview
The Carolina Panthers are 0-2 so far in the preseason after they lost to Houston by a score of 20-3 in their last game. Carolina didn’t score in the first quarter, but they did get a field goal late in the second to trail 10-3 at halftime. The Panthers played decent defense in the second half, but didn’t manage any points in the bad loss. Carolina was out gained by a total of 266-164, went 1-10 on third down conversions, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 2-0. Jack Plummer went 10-14 for 83 yards and two interceptions, Andy Dalton went 2-4 for 22 yards, and Bryce Young went 0-2 for 0 yards in the loss. Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams rushed five times for 27 yards, while Brycen Tremayne caught three passes for 46 yards in the game. The Carolina defense was led by Demani Richardson and Jacoby Windmon, who both had seven tackles, while Rozeboom added one sack.
Carolina started the 2025 preseason with a 30-10 loss to Cleveland, so they have been outscored by a total of 50-13 in their first two games. The Panthers will not play Bryce Young or Andy Dalton in this game, so Jack Plummer should get the majority of the work, while Bryce Perkins will also get some time.
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Steelers vs Panthers Prediction
Carolina will look to end the preseason with some positive momentum here, as they have played pretty poorly in their first two games. I don’t love the quarterback situation for Carolina, but this is a big chance for Perkins to show what he has, assuming he gets some time. Pittsburgh will probably let Thompson get the bulk of the game and he has played very well in the first two preseason games. I just don’t believe in the Carolina QB situation, so give me the Steelers here.