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Carolina at Pittsburgh NFL Odds: Steelers hot favourites in the betting to beat woeful Panthers

The struggling Carolina Panthers travel to the Heinz Field Stadium to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in the live Thursday night NFL match. Unsurprisingly it is the Steelers who are odds on favourites to win the match at 1/13 with Bet365 bookmakers, while the Panthers are rated as big outsiders at an industry best price of 8/1

The Steelers have been a solid unit this season and should overcome the Panthers with ease and improve their 10-4 record. They are already sure of a playoff berth and can win the AFC North if they win their remaining matches due to having a superior record compared to nearest rivals Baltimore Ravens.

Mike Tomlin's Steelers have been hugely impressive this term in defense as they boast the talents of Lawrence Timmons and the third best defensive record in the league. They also have a 4-1 record in their last five matches, only succumbing to a last minute 22-17 loss to the New York Jets last weekend to taint their form, and they will be keen to right that loss against the Panthers. The total points betting market is currently set at 37, and the under 37 with Bet365.com could be tempting at odds of 10/11 when you consider the quality of the Superbowl XLV winners' defense and the poor weather could make quality offensive football very difficult.

The home side will be missing the hugely influential Troy Polamalu but Heath Miller should be fit, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is boasted a passing yardage of 2600 yards this term and a 60.6% completion. He was sacked three times for thirty three yards against the Jets but the Panthers are unlikely to pose him the same problems, which will in turn bring the Steelers' number one receiver Mike Wallace into play. Wallace has eight touchdowns this season and will be Rothlisberger's number one receiving target and looks a good bet at 15/2 to be the first touchdown scorer on Thursday night. Impressive running back Rashard Mendenhall has rushed 1173 yards for 10 touchdowns this American Football season and he is favourite to score the first touchdown on Thursday night at odds of 11/4 with B365.

The visiting Carolina Panthers have had a torrid season and are currently 2-12 after winning 19-12 against the Arizona Cardinals recently. Their passing game has been poor, amidst rumours that coach John Fox could be on his way out, and they have used four different quarterbacks this term. Most recent incumbent Jimmy Clausen has a throwing percentage of 52.7% and made only the second touchdown throw of his NFL career against the Cardinals. The 23-year-old has been intercepted seven times during his spell in the side.

Their one bright spark has been running back Jonathan Stewart who rushed for 137 yards on 27 carries against the Cardinals and he is good value at 7/1 to score the first touchdown with Bet365, or evens to score anytime. Although the Panthers have only managed 16 touchdowns all season and are yet to win on the road.

The Steelers should win this one although not as comfortably as one might imagine as the Panthers could be a difficult proposition with nothing to lose. Carolina have tended to fall away in the second half of games and the double result of a half time draw and full time Pittsburgh win could be worth a look at 22/1 with Bet365. Or you could look at the Panthers in the spread at +14 at odds of 20/21. But ultimately Pittsburgh should emerge victorious as they look to seal the AFC North title, and a winning margin of 7-12 points is currently 11/2.

Carolina Panthers @ Pittsburgh Steelers Tips

Tip No.1: Carolina Panthers to win in the spread at +14 @ 20/21
Tip No.2: Double Result: Half Time draw and Full Time Pittsburgh Steelers win @ 22/1
Tip No.3: Mike Wallace to be first touchdown scorer @ 13/2

Carolina Panthers @ Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Opportunities

Outright Winner
Pittsburgh Steelers 1/13
Carolina Panthers 8/1

Point Spread
Pittsburgh Steelers -14 20/23
Carolina Panthers +14 20/21

Total Points in the game
Over 37 10/11
Under 37 10/11

First Touchdown Scorer(to score anytime in brackets)
Rashard Mendenhall (Steelers)- 11/4 (1/5)
Mike Wallace (Steelers)- 13/2 (8/13)
Jonathan Stewart (Panthers) - 7/1 (Evens)
Hines Ward (Steelers) - 7/1 (5/6)
Mike Goodson (Panthers) - 8/1 (5/4)
Any Other Player - 9/1 (7/4)
Steve Smith (Panthers) - 10/1 (8/5)

Odds Provided by Bet365.com bookmakers, who provide a variety of betting markets for this American Football match and many others.

Posted: Wednesday, 22nd December 2010
Author: Chris James
Tags: pittsburgh steelers, caraolina panthers, ben rothlisberger, bet365,

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