Matchup Notes
--Carolina improved to 6-2 after a win over Tampa Bay at home on Sunday. It marked the fifth time in franchise history that Carolina has started 6-2 or better over the first half of a season.
--The Panthers will be looking for their first-ever road win at Pittsburgh and first win over the Steelers since the 1996 season finale. Carolina is 1-5 all-time against Pittsburgh and 0-3 on the road.
--The Panthers scored a franchise-record 35 points in the first half against Tampa Bay en route to a 42-28 win last Sunday. Cam Newton tied the franchise record with seventh-straight games with at least two passing touchdowns. He has gone 105 pass attempts since his last interception. Newton leads the NFL with a passer rating of 124.7 in the red zone.
--Over the last nine quarters, since the fourth quarter comeback at Philadelphia, the Panthers lead the NFL with 99 points, including 4.1 points per drive.
--DJ Moore set a franchise record for rushing yards by a wide receiver after his 32-yard run against the Buccaneers. Moore has 117 rushing yards with an average of 16.71 per rush. Moore has 8.86 yards after per contact per rush, the most in the NFL (min. 5 rushes).
--Donte Jackson recorded his fourth interception of the season against the Buccaneers, tying for the most in the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus, his 68.1 passer rating against ranks second among all rookie cornerbacks.
--Christian McCaffrey (502 rush yds, 378 rec yds) is one of three players, along with Pittsburgh's James Conner and New York's Saquon Barkley, with at least 500 rushing yards and 375 receiving yards this season.
--Carolina has been even or positive in turnovers in seven of eight games, going 6-1 in those games and 5-0 when winning the turnover battle outright. This season, the Panthers rank fourth in turnover differential (+8), sixth in points off turnovers (51), seventh in total takeaways (15), tied for fourth in interceptions (11) and tied for third in fewest giveaways (7). Since 2015, Carolina leads the NFL with 102 total takeaways and ranks second with 62 interceptions.
--The Panthers rushing attack now ranks second in rushing yards per game (143.9). Carolina is first in rush yards per carry (5.2), tied for first in rushes over 10 yards (41) and third in rushing touchdowns (11).
--Carolina's offensive line has allowed just 12 sacks, tied for the second-fewest sacks allowed through eight games in franchise history. The Panthers have allowed 55 pressures, tied with Pittsburgh for third-fewest pressures in the NFL behind New Orleans (43) and the Los Angeles Rams (53).
Upcoming Milestones
Panthers players have a number of career milestones that could be in reach for Sunday's game:
--Cam Newton needs to throw two touchdowns against Pittsburgh to pass Steve Beuerlein (7) for the franchise record with eight straight games with two TD passes.
--Newton needs one rushing touchdown for his eighth straight season with at least five rushing touchdowns, joining Eddie George and Thurman Thomas in a tie for the fifth-longest streak.
--Christian McCaffrey (7) needs one receiving touchdown to pass DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart (7) for sole possession of the most receiving TDs by a running back in franchise history.
--Greg Olsen (7,774) needs 145 receiving yards to pass Jackie Smith (7,918) for seventh all-time in receiving yards among tight ends.
--Julius Peppers (51) needs two forced fumbles to pass Robert Mathis (52) for the most forced fumbles since 2000.
Notable Connections
• Panthers owner, David Tepper, was a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2009-18 prior to purchasing the Panthers.
• Steelers player engagement coordinator Terry Cousin played and graduated from the University of South Carolina, and played for the Panthers from 2002-03.
• Player personnel coordinator and grandson to Steelers' founder Art Rooney Jr, Dan Rooney Jr. coached at Northern Durham HS in North Carolina from 1993-94. He also coached at Leesville Road HS in Raleigh from 1995-97.
• Panthers wide receivers coach Jerricho Cotchery played for the Steelers from 2011-13.
• Steelers offensive lineman Zach Banner spent part of the 2018 offseason with the Panthers.
• Several Steelers players are from the Carolinas including running back Jaylen Samuels (Charlotte, N.C.), quarterback Mason Rudolph (Rock Hill, S.C.), defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (Salisbury, N.C.) and defensive tackle Dan McCullers (Raleigh, N.C.). Cornerback Coty Sensabaugh attended Clemson University and wide receiver Ryan Switzer played at North Carolina.
• Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne attended Harrisburg (Pa.) High School.
The Steelers lead the all-time series against the Panthers, 6-1.
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) turns the corner against the Pittsburgh Steelers' Ryan Shazier (50) during the first half an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. The Steelers won 37-19. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Panthers against the Steelers on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Steve Beuerlein (7) delivers a fourth-quarter pass with Pittsburgh Steelers' Lance Brown (29) in pursuit Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 30-20. (AP Photo/Gary Tramontina)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) aims a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. The Steelers won 37-19. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Panthers against the Steelers on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
Carolina Panthers' Philly Brown (16) runs after a catch as Pittsburgh Steelers' Antwon Blake (41) defends during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) looks to hand the ball off during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, NC, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Charlotte, NC, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Pittsburgh Steelers' Antonio Brown (84) tries to regain his balance and the catch as Carolina Panthers' Antoine Cason (20) breaks up the play during the second half an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. The Steelers won 37-19. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Panthers against the Steelers on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) pressures Carolina Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen (2) out of the pocket leading to a sack in the third quarter of the NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010 in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 27-3. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Carolina Panthers' Wesley Walls (85) fights with Pittsburgh Steelers' Lee Flowers (41) during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999, in Pittsburgh. Both players were ejected from the game, which the Steelers won 30-20. At right preparing to restrain Walls is Steelers' Dewayne Washington. (AP Photo/Gary Tramontina)
Carolina Panthers running back Mike Goodson (33) runs the ball during the NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) plays in the NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger (7) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Mario Addison (97) and Star Lotulelei (98) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2014, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers' LeGarrette Blount (27) runs between Carolina Panthers' Robert Golden (21) and Luke Kuechly (59) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The Steelers have released running back LeGarrette Blount. The move comes less than 24 hours after Blount left the field early in a victory over the Tennessee Titans on Monday night, Nov. 17.(AP Photo/Bob Leverone, File)
Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil, center, prepares to snap the ball in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Carolina Panthers in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010. (AP Photo/Gene Puskar)
Panthers against the Steelers on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
Carolina Panthers' Captain Munnerlyn (41) returns a punt as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Crezdon Butler (28) pursues in the NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers in Pittsburgh, Friday, Dec. 24, 2010. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Panthers against the Steelers on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger (7) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Mike Rucker (93) during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Amos Zereoue (21) is hauled down after a fourth-quarter gain by Carolina Panthers' Will Witherspoon (54) and Brad Jackson (50) Sunday, Dec. 15, 2002, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers beat the Panthers 30-14. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Panthers against the Steelers on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
