Panthers game-by-game predictions in 2022 after Baker Mayfield trade
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Baker Mayfield’s most memorable outing for the Cleveland Browns was leading them to a playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. A memory that the Carolina Panthers will hope brings around a positive performance against a team going through some changes following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger.
The Steelers are always going to be a handful so long as Mike Tomlin remains head coach. Just who is playing quarterback for them at this stage of the season remains to be seen, with Mitchell Trubisky and first-round pick Kenny Pickett set to compete for the job in training camp.
This is Carolina’s penultimate home game of the season. A win against the Steelers would potentially be a significant morale boost, but the run defense has to make their presence felt going up against one of the brightest young stars in the business, Najee Harris.
Mayfield and the Steelers have history. So there could also be plenty of bad blood, too.
Prediction: Lose (8-6)
One could argue that Carolina’s roster looks stronger than Pittsburgh’s overall. But in a game of fine margins such as this, Tomlin has the clear, undisputed edge over Matt Rhule until the former Baylor man proves otherwise.