Following that 1996 slip-up, the Steelers went on a relentless crusade, winning the next seven consecutive regular-season games.
The against the Carolina Panthers, turning a cross-conference clash into a tale of absolute dominance. 🐾 The Lone Panther Roar (1996) NFL Pittsburgh Steelers vs Carolina Panthers
While they rarely meet when the games count, these two franchises share a fascinating, unique bond. For nearly two decades, the Steelers and Panthers made it a tradition to play each other in the final game of the NFL preseason. It became a legendary annual evaluation ground for coaches to decide the final 53-man rosters. Following that 1996 slip-up, the Steelers went on
Pittsburgh marched into Charlotte and delivered a crushing 37-3 defeat, suffocating the Panthers' offense entirely. For nearly two decades, the Steelers and Panthers
Instead, it was the only time the Panthers would ever taste victory against Pittsburgh in the regular season. 🔨 The Iron Curtain Falls (The 2000s & 2010s)
The peak of the onslaught came in Week 10 of 2018. In a highly anticipated matchup between Ben Roethlisberger and Cam Newton, the Steelers offense exploded for a historic 52-21 blowout at Heinz Field . Newton was sacked five times, while Roethlisberger threw for five touchdowns with a perfect passer rating. 🤝 The Preseason Tradition
The story of this matchup actually began with a shock to the system. In just their second year of existence, the 1996 expansion Carolina Panthers pulled off a gritty 18-14 victory over a seasoned, battle-tested Steelers squad. It looked like the birth of a fiercely competitive cross-conference rivalry.