Steelers Scouting Report: NFL Week 15 at the Carolina Panthers
Steel City Underground’s “Steelers Scouting Report” is a preview of each opponent Pittsburgh will face throughout the 2022-23 NFL regular season on a weekly basis, with analysis, injury news, and potential key matchups
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be on the road in Week 15 of the 2022 NFL regular season to play the Carolina Panthers. Head coach Steve Wilks has his team (5-8) in a spot to grab a playoff berth due to the unsettled NFC South division. The Steelers own the same win-loss record but have seen the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals surge in the AFC North.
On Sunday, these two teams will try to pull out a much-needed win at Bank of America Stadium.
Panthers offense
In Week 14, the Panthers were able to come away with a 30-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks. With Sam Darnold at quarterback, Carolina looked more settled on offense, even if they weren’t perfect. Darnold completed 14-of-24 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown to featured target Laviska Shenault Jr.
The Panthers like to grind out yards on the ground when they can get them, and D’Onta Foreman has been the primary back over Chuba Hubbard following the trade of Christian McCaffrey. Foreman has 637 yards rushing this season on 147 carries and four touchdowns; he has just five receptions.
Where the Panthers get creative is in their “Arby’s” package: utilizing eight offensive linemen to shove opposing defensive fronts around. It’s a lot of mass moving in the pile.
“They’re gonna stick with their run… bigger guys out there. We just got to be able to stay stout because if they’re doing that, there’s less chance for them to pass. We gotta make sure we have good keys, play with our hands and defeat double teams.” – Steelers DL Cameron Heyward
Since becoming the starting running back, Foreman is tied for most 100-yard rushing games (4) in the league with Josh Jacobs. Foreman has averaged 108.8 rushing yards in four Panthers wins and 55.0 in three losses.
Darnold has been protected behind the line that has a pass blocking grade of 75.1 (per Pro Football Focus): fifth in the NFL. The line has allowed just 11 sacks since Week 6. Rookie Ikem Ekwonu has been the best rookie offensive lineman in the league to this point in the season, allowing just a single sack.
The Panthers’ passing/receiving game hasn’t been nearly as devastating to opponents, but that isn’t to say they can’t make a play. With D.J. Moore injured, Shenault led the team in Seattle by securing four catches for 31 yards.
“Those guys are constantly getting better each and every practice, which shows in the game… We’ve just got to continue to find ways to get those guys the football.” – Steve Wilks on Carolina’s receivers
Panthers defense
Carolina has allowed opponents 18 touchdowns via the pass and an average of 214.7 air yards per game. They’ve also given up 1,674 yards of rushing to opponents (128.8 yards per game) and 13 touchdowns on the ground. Those stats rank them in the middle of the league defensively.
Where they’ve made up for those numbers has been in turnovers. Entering Week 15, the Panthers defense has grabbed fourteen total turnovers (10 interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries).
The Panthers got Frankie Luvu back from injury and, in the last four weeks since he returned, he’s recorded 34 tackles, five tackles for a loss, and 4.0 sacks. He’s the only player in the league with at least sacks that has logged 30-plus tackles.
Brian Burns is on a franchise-best pace this season (tied for third-most in team history) in stops – sacks plus tackles for a loss – with 23.5. He’s finding success getting into opposing offensive backfields
In the defensive backfield, Jaycee Horn has recorded three interceptions on the season and is allowing just a 35.8 passer rating per PFF. That has put opposing passers on notice to not test his ability to break to the ball and jump routes.
“It really starts with his makeup of who he is as a person. He puts a lot of time and effort into his craft. He takes pride in all the details and things that I talk about all the time. You can see it in his performance. … He understands what it takes to be successful at this level and at a high standard. I love the way he’s playing right now.” – Wilks on Horn
With uncertainty as to who will start at quarterback and the low number of touchdowns the Steelers offense has been scoring, fans may see this as a week that Carolina can cake-walk into a win. That’s unrealistic, though. Pittsburgh has weapons; they just need to get them all primed to fire at the same time.
“I am just trying to win games and do anything to help the team… Touchdowns are eventually going to come.” – Steelers WR Diontae Johnson
The Panthers, as hosts, are minor underdogs in this matchup. This game looks, at least on paper, to be a defensive battle. Only game day will reveal which team’s offense can overcome their shortcomings.
Panthers injury report
Week 15 injury/participation
Wednesday
- LB Brandon Smith (ankle) – DNP
- LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe (shoulder) – LP
- OLB Cory Littleton (ankle) – LP
- WR D.J. Moore (ankle) – FP
- WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (shoulder) – LP
- S Xavier Woods (ankle) – LP
Thursday
- LB Brandon Smith (ankle) – DNP
- LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe (shoulder) – FP
- OLB Cory Littleton (ankle) – LP
- WR D.J. Moore (ankle) – FP
- WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (shoulder) – LP
- S Xavier Woods (ankle) – LP
