Thought this might slide to a field goal, but it has held firm with the hook as kickoff approaches. Here's what I wrote earlier this week on SportsLine: The Steelers and Panthers are both rolling, but when you look at their recent wins, it is clear Pittsburgh's are better, particularly when you consider two were road games at Baltimore and Cincinnati. The possible distraction of LeVeon Bell may be a hiccup for the locker room, but it should not affect this veteran team. Carolina has not faced a capable defense like this in weeks (yes, even Baltimore has fallen apart), and on a short week, the lean is usually to the home team anyway. There is a lot of public love for the Panthers off the bat, and I expect this line to dip down before kickoff.

The Carolina offense has had its issues on the road, scoring 24, 17 and 21 points in their three road games this year. The Steelers defense has been excellent over the last month, giving up just 16-21 points in each of their four games. If that unit is playing well again here, I don't see Pittsburgh taking a lot of risks in the passing game, preferring to get out of there with something like a 24-17 win. This feels like a great spot for the Under.

The Panthers come in on a three-game winning streak. They have covered all three with the last two going Over the total. They're a different and much better team at home. The Steelers have won and covered four straight, aided by a defense playing extremely well compared to what it was at the beginning of the season. The Steelers keep their roll going Thursday and cover a cheap number.

The favorites have been coming up big on Thursday nights, with the only non-covers coming by the Rams (who pushed for most bettors) and the Raiders last week after a wonky line move before the game. With the line dropping as far as it has, I'd probably like the Steelers on Sunday anyway at this number. They're the healthier side, and the defense has been top notch over their four-game winning streak. The Panthers haven't played that difficult a schedule and have gone on the road just three times so far. I think the Steelers are the better team, and one that could give them trouble.

Carolina’s got a really good passing game, has good receivers in addition to the tight end Olsen, who’s healthy, and Christian McCaffrey is a real threat. The Steelers' offense last week only put up 19 points. If they do that this week they could get beat. I think this will be a real tight game. Carolina’s good kicking game could be the difference.

Two white-hot teams square off, and a line higher than a field goal is an invitation to the underdog camp. Carolina has racked up 99 points in the last nine periods. QB Cam Newton has never been better, with at least two TD passes in seven consecutive outings. He expertly dodges pass rushers, having been sacked just 12 times. Pittsburgh is a more preferable play on the road, having covered twice in the nine latest home gigs.