Analysis of the Steelers’ 2014 schedule: Weeks 1-4

WEEK THREE – PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS

The Carolina Panthers may have had success in 2013, but many NFL insiders feel they will be lucky to be a .500 team in 2014.  The Panthers have yet to post consecutive winning seasons in their franchise history.  Since 2002, there has never been a repeat champion in the NFC South.  David Newton, of ESPN, said, “There’s no reason the believe that will change for a Carolina team that has to rebuild its offensive line, receiving corps and secondary.”

In addition to facing NFC South rivals, the Panthers will also face every team from the NFC North and AFC North in 2014, including the Steelers.  The Panthers will also face the first-place finishers from the NFC East and NFC West.  That means that Carolina will play six teams that were in the playoffs in 2013.

The Steelers got caught off guard when they faced the Panthers in the 2013 preseason by losing.  They then lost the next three pre-season games.  They didn’t start the regular season off much better.

With a decent draft and modest gains in free agency, the Steelers should be ready to hand Carolina a loss in 2014.

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