Carolina has just two games left before its season mercifully comes to end. Unfortunately, for the Panthers, though, they must face the Steelers and Falcons and both on the road no less. Their first hurdle comes tonight in Pittsburgh where they will take on the Steelers at 8:20pm ET at Heinz Field; the game will be broadcast live on the NFL Network. NFL Week 16 Predictions have the Steelers listed as a -14 against the spread home favorite and the Over/Under set at 37.
Carolina saw its seven game losing streak 
come to an end last Sunday thanks to the Arizona Cardinals woefully inept offense. The Panthers prevailed 19-12 at Bank of America Stadium after limiting Arizona to 11 first downs and 218 total yards in rookie John Skelton's first NFL road start.
Carolina, which has realized more than its share of offensive troubles this season as well, produced 303 yards in 36:56 time of possession. Rookie signal caller Jimmy Clausen had by far his best outing of the season, completing 13-of-19 passes for 141 yards and touchdown (107.6 passer rating).
The 2-12 Panthers have yet to win a road game this season, and, in most cases, they have barely showed up in opposing stadiums. Carolina is averaging 15.8 points per game away from home, where they are losing by an average of 9.7 points per game.
Pittsburgh can win, at least on a limited basis, without Ben Roethlisberger, but take Troy Polamalu off the defense and it just is not the same team. Polamalu, who missed the majority of the 2009 season with a knee injury, sat out the Jets game on Sunday with a strained achilles. His presence was missed as New York had its most effective offensive performance in three weeks.
Polamalu will also miss this evening's contest as the Steelers look to avoid disaster against the Panthers toothless offensive attack.
Pittsburgh, after its 22-17 loss to the Jets, is now tied with Baltimore for first place in the AFC North with a 10-4 record. The Steelers, which finish out the season against Carolina and Cleveland, still control the division, though, based upon their division record. If Pittsburgh wins out or both teams finish with the same record, the Steelers will win the division.
NFL Week 16 Predictions Betting Trend: The Panthers are 2-8 against the spread and 1-9 straight up in their last 10 games as a road dog with a total between 37 and 41.
NFL Week 16 Predictions Carolina Panthers vs Pittsburgh Steelers Odds:
Carolina Panthers +14 (-110), Over 37 (-110)
Pittsburgh Steelers -14 (-110), Under 37 (-110)
