Game Day Preview…Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at 1-1 but could easily be 0-2 with the way they’ve played the last six quarters.  The challenge doesn’t get any easier as they now face the 2-0 Carolina Panthers, in Charlotte on Sunday Night Football.
The Panthers are a very good team on both sides of the ball and while this game isn’t a ‘must win’ situation for the black and gold, they desperately want to avoid a 1-2 start and falling further behind the division leading Bengals who look poised to advance to 3-0.
Here are the Keys to A Steelers Victory:
1. The defense needs to create a turnover. Through two games they have yet to do so, looking the mediocre Steelers of the past two seasons. They must create turnovers to help the offense with field position.
2. The offense needs to control the clock. They’ve scored nine points in the last six quarters, something has to give. They need to find a balanced attack and move the ball effectively. When they get into the red zone, they need to put the ball into the end zone and not have to settle for field goals.
3. LeVeon Bell needs to gain 100 yards rushing. Not just for the purposes of controlling the clock but because if he can get a good amount of yards on the ground, it will set up the play action for Big Ben. Bell has been running the ball really hard through the first two weeks and has looked great doing so but they need to feed him the ball 20 times or so, so he can get the necessary yardage on the ground.
4. The offense can’t turn the ball over. Sure, it’s obvious, but it’s just true. Last week on the opening drive the team was moving the ball and then Justin Brown fumbled it deep in Raven territory. That turnover changed the entire complexion of the game. They need to play a complete game and not give the ball to the Panthers for free.
Here are a Few Things to Watch:
1.  Cody Wallace-Wallace appears as if he’ll get the nod at guard in place of the injured Ramon Foster.  Wallace is a serviceable linemen, capable of playing ever position, he should fill in nicely.
2.  Lawrence Timmons-Timmons has missed more tackles in the first two games than he did all of last season.  Timmons is usually the leading and best tackler on the team and is the most impactful player on the defense. Timmons must get back to form and I expect he will.
3. Heath Miller-With the tough hitting power defense of the Panthers, it will be important to involve Heath Miller in the game plan. He’s the security blanket for Big Ben but he needs to be the number one outlet on plays too. If he is, the offense will move the ball more effectively.
4. Martavis Bryant-Bryant should finally play this week and I expect him to be a true threat in the red zone starting this week.
Mike Pelaia hosts the website Steel Nation Association www.steelnationassociation.com- Covering the Steelers and helping Children’s Hospital All Day Everyday. You can e-mail him at mike@steelnationassociation.com.