Thursday’s NFL Matchup

CAROLINA (6-2) AT PITTSBURGH (5-2-1)

KICKOFF: 8:20 p.m., Fox/NFL Network

OPENING LINE: Steelers by 71⁄2

RECORD VS. SPREAD: Carolina 4-2-1, Pittsburgh 5-3

SERIES RECORD: Steelers lead 5-1

LAST MEETING: Steelers beat Panthers 37-19, Sept. 21, 2014

LAST WEEK: Panthers beat Buccaneers 42-28; Steelers beat Ravens 23-16

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES: Pittsburgh has won each of last five meetings. .. Steelers are 3-0 against Carolina all-time at Heinz Field. … Panthers new owner David Tepper is Pittsburgh native and former minority owner of Steelers. … Panthers scored franchise-record 35 first-half points vs. Tampa Bay last week. … Panthers have scored 99 points in last nine quarters. … Carolina has allowed 12 sacks, second fewest through eight games in franchise history. … QB Cam Newton needs one TD rushing for eighth straight season with at least five TDs rushing. … Newton has thrown at least two TDs in seven straight games. … RB Christian McCaffrey has four TDs in last two weeks and had 157 yards from scrimmage last week. … TE Greg Olsen needs 145 yards receiving to pass

Jackie Smith (7,918) for seventh all-time among tight ends. Olsen has TD catch in three straight games… LB Luke Kuechly had 14 tackles in last meeting. … DE Mario Addison had three sacks last week vs. Bucs. … Pittsburgh has won four straight since 1-2-1 start to take lead in AFC North. … Steelers WR Antonio Brown had TD reception in six straight games, tied for second-longest streak in team history. … Brown’s nine TD receptions franchise record for most in first eight games of season. … Pittsburgh 17-5 at home against NFC under Mike Tomlin. … Steelers have won six straight games in November.