Thursday Night Action

Week 16

CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-12, 0-6 road) at PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-4, 4-3 home)

Thursday, December 23, 2010
Time:
8:30pm eastern
Weather: 25 degrees, 30% chance of snow
Opening Line: Pittsburgh -13
Current Line: Pittsburgh -14

Last Meeting: December 17, 2006 in Pittsburgh (Steelers 37, Panthers 3)

Note: The Steelers have won the last three meetings between these two teams dating back to 1999.

Recent Trends (provided by our friends at Covers.com)

ATS: against the spread

Carolina Panthers

Panthers are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games in December.
Panthers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Panthers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog.
Panthers are 0-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Steelers are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
Steelers are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games in Week 16.
Steelers are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games as a home favorite of 10.5 or greater.

Analysis: This is a big spread to cover, but Carolina is 0-6 on the road this season with a 9.6-point average margin of defeat. Yes, Troy Polamalu is OUT for Thursday night’s game, but the short week of preparation will hurt the road team just a slight bit more than the home team.

Outside of that, can you really see yourself backing Jimmy Clausen and the Panthers?

Current Monday/Thursday Record: 16-9-1

Pick: I’ll take the Steelers and will lay the two touchdowns. No chance I’m putting cheese down on Clausen.

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