PRIME-TIME PICK

Panthers (6-2) at Steelers (5-2-1) LINE: Pittsburgh by 4 Both teams playing well and, under normal circumstances, would be more inclined to take generous points offered here with highly regarded Panthers. However, Thursday night football is anything but normal and these conditions do not favour Carolina at all. This is not a division game. The Panthers will face an unfamiliar team that is both out of division and out of conference. While that is an equal circumstance for the Steelers, they at least will have been home for a few days to prepare. Pittsburgh appears to thrive on these short weeks having won four straight Thursday night games. Mike Tomlin’s squad has also fared well vs. NFC clubs at Heinz Field where the Steelers have won 17 of past 22. In Pittsburgh’s current four-game win streak, only the Falcons passed for more than 250 yards while the Browns were lone club to surpass 70 yards rushing. Carolina QB Cam Newton is playing lights out right now but his team is just 1-2 on the road this season and under better

situations than this one. TAKING: Steelers -4

Longley’s pick:

Panthers +4 Bilicki’s pick: Steelers -4