Carolina overmatched vs. Steelers' defense
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Brett Keisel sacks Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen in the third quarter Thursday at Heinz Field. Clausen was 9 of 19 for 67 yards and no touchdowns.
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Surely, there have been bigger mismatches in Steelers history than their defense against the Carolina Panthers offense Thursday night at Heinz Field.
I'll be darned if I can think of one.
The two teams could play until next Christmas Eve and the Panthers wouldn't score a touchdown.
The Steelers didn't even need safety Troy Polamalu to win, 27-3, at cold, damp Heinz Field. The only points the defense allowed came after the Panthers took possession at the Steelers 23 after a fourth-quarter punt. The defense deserved a shutout.
"If only our special teams had helped us out just a little bit ... " linebacker James Farrior said, grinning.
Not that anyone would have bragged all that much about a shutout.
"They were 2-12 for a reason," safety Ryan Clark said of the Panthers.
A couple of reasons, actually.
Carolina's offense ranks last in the NFL in points scored, passing yards and total yards. Its rookie quarterback is -- how can I say this politely -- pathetic. Jimmy Clausen wasn't very good at Notre Dame.
Not to be critical.
"A rookie quarterback against coach LeBeau? That's not a matchup at all," Clark said of Clausen trying to solve Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's defense.
The Panthers' only chance was to run the football. I didn't say it was a big chance; the Steelers rank No. 1 in the league against the rush. But it was their only chance.
Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart had a couple of nice runs early for 12 and 7 yards. That helped Carolina keep the ball on the game's opening drive for more than seven minutes. But the Panthers self-destructed, as they so often do, taking consecutive false-start penalties on the Steelers 35 and 40. They ended up punting from the 32.
The Steelers took a 3-0 lead on their first drive.
I swear, it felt like the game was over.
The Panthers did make it to the Steelers 29 on their next possession before they were turned away by the ageless Farrior. OK, he'll be 36 Jan. 6. But he's playing like he's 26. On third-and-2, running back Mike Goodson took the snap in the Panthers' version of the wildcat and was thrown for a 3-yard loss by Farrior. On fourth-and-5, Clausen was sacked for a 4-yard loss by Farrior.
First Published December 24, 2010 12:17 am
