[Lefty Noob]

The Steelers and Panthers play in Charlotte this Sunday in a battle of 6-7 teams. Here's a preview of the game:

NFL - Pittsburgh Steelers/Carolina Panthers Preview Sunday December 17, 2006 - Yahoo! Sports
By MIKE VOTTA, STATS Senior Writer

The Steelers trail two 8-5 teams that beat them this year -- Jacksonville and Cincinnati -- in the AFC wild-card race. Denver, Kansas City and the New York Jets are 7-6, while Buffalo and Miami are tied with the Steelers at 6-7.

"Until they tell us we're done, we're going to try to win all three games," linebacker Joey Porter said. "We'll try to get to 9-7 and see where that gets us."

The Panthers (6-7), on the other hand, lost their third straight last Sunday, falling 27-13 to the New York Giants. The defeat dropped them a game behind New York, Philadelphia and Atlanta, who are tied in the NFC wild-card hunt.

Carolina tried to remain optimistic following the loss.

"You know, 9-7, that can give you a shot," safety Mike Minter said. "That's the only thing we can go off of. Are we out? No. Does it look slim? Yes. We still have three games left and we can't fold it up."

One team won the Super Bowl last year; another was supposed to this year. As it is, it looks like neither will actually make the playoffs in 2006. So who wins this game to get back to .500?

[cwstech]

Please Panther's don't break my heart. I don't think I can take it anymore.

The panthers, who were once known for a hard running game, have yet to find a consistent running attach.

It's going to take the Panthers winning the next three games to go to the playoffs. In the NFC, a 9 - 7 team can easlily make it as a wild card.

Finger crossed again and praying hard.

[Lefty Noob]

This one's going to be a nail-biter. Both teams need it badly. I see Weinke's starting... how will he handle the Blitzburgh defense?

[ThePundit]

Pittsburgh has only won 1 game on the road this year and that was against Cleveland - and they barely eked that one out. In my pool, I went with Carolina =+2.5, just based on that.

[MJHMarc]

The odds favor Carolina? Well, so do I.

[GoHeelsGo]

Score:
CAR:3
PIT:37

Thank you Panthers, my Saints have now clenched the division!
GO SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lefty Noob]

Boy oh boy... talk about not showing up in a must-win game. Wow. Huge loss by the Panthers.

[cwstech]

Sorry I have not said anything yet. It takes me a few days to recover from these loss's. I am going to be in Macon, GA where my brother lives for Christmas. My brother, my sister's fiance, and I were going to drive to Atlanta to watch the Falcons / Panther's game at the Georgia Dome.

Haha, yeah right. We'll watch it on my brother's tv. I don't think I can even be in the same building as the Panther's. Talk about so many expectations and everyone's pick to be in the Super Bowl. This is such a let down.

[ThePundit]

CWS: At least it wasn't gut wrenching. It was a good old fashioned blowout. Those are often easier to take then closes loses.