Football in August is a weird beast. You’ve got half the stadium checking their fantasy drafts and the other half trying to figure out if that guy wearing number 82 is a future Pro Bowler or someone who will be selling insurance by Tuesday. That was the exact vibe in Charlotte when the panthers vs steelers 2025 preseason finale kicked off. Most folks look at a 19-10 scoreline and think, "Whatever, just a tune-up." But if you actually watched, there was a whole lot more drama than the box score suggests.
Honestly, it felt like two teams heading in opposite directions. The Steelers were trying to figure out their depth behind a veteran-heavy roster, while the Panthers were essentially auditioning an entire squad since they rested basically every starter.
The Skylar Thompson Show and the Backup Battle
Let’s talk about Skylar Thompson for a second. The dude was on fire. He came in for Mason Rudolph—who, let's be real, looked a bit shaky with that early interception—and just carved up the Carolina secondary. Going 11-for-13 is efficient in any league, but doing it with 152 yards and a touchdown? That’s how you lock down a roster spot.
His 24-yard dime to Lance McCutcheon was a beauty. It’s one of those throws where you see the potential that Mike Tomlin keeps talking about. Tomlin mentioned after the game that Thompson "isn't afraid to attack," and you could see it. He wasn't just checking down; he was hunting.
On the flip side, the Panthers' quarterback situation was... well, "messy" is a nice way to put it. Jack Plummer started because Bryce Young and Andy Dalton were out, and while he did find James Mitchell for a touchdown to tie it up before the half, the second half was a total collapse. Bryce Perkins, who they just signed, got absolutely swallowed by the Pittsburgh pass rush.
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Panthers vs Steelers 2025: The Injury That Dampened the Mood
The biggest bummer of the night? Derrick Harmon.
You never want to see a first-round pick go down, especially in a game that doesn't count toward the standings. When the rookie defensive tackle got carted off in the first half with a knee injury, the energy in Bank of America Stadium just evaporated.
The good news? Mike Tomlin called it a knee sprain later on. Harmon even made it back to the sideline in the fourth quarter to sit with his teammates. Still, it’s a massive reminder of why teams are so terrified of the preseason. One bad step and your draft investment is on the shelf.
Breaking Down the Defensive Grit
Pittsburgh’s defense is always going to be the identity of that team. Even with the "B-team" in, they were relentless. Yahya Black was a nightmare for the Panthers' offensive line. Two sacks and a forced fumble? That’s a monster night.
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- Steelers Total Yards: 325
- Panthers Total Yards: 255
- Takeaways: Steelers forced 2, Panthers had 1
- The Sauls Factor: Rookie kicker Ben Sauls went 4-for-4, including a 50-yarder.
The tackling from Carolina was, in Tomlin's own words, "shaky at best." The Panthers gave up 171 rushing yards. You can’t win games—preseason or otherwise—if you're letting guys like Trey Sermon break off 30-yard runs like it’s a light jog.
Why the 19-10 Final Score is Deceptive
If you just saw the 19-10 final, you might think it was a defensive slugfest. It wasn't. It was more about missed opportunities and a ridiculous amount of yellow laundry on the field. The Steelers got flagged 13 times for over 100 yards. That is a lot of mistakes.
If this were the regular season, those penalties would have cost them the game. But because the Panthers couldn't move the ball in the second half, Pittsburgh was able to coast on the leg of Ben Sauls.
Sauls is actually a great story here. For a rookie to come in and nail everything, including a high-pressure 50-yarder, it gives the Steelers a lot of confidence in their special teams. It’s the kind of performance that makes a coach breathe a little easier heading into the roster cut-down day.
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What This Means for the Regular Season
So, what did we actually learn?
For Carolina, it’s clear they have zero depth. Resting the starters was a choice, sure, but the gap between their first and second units looked like a canyon. Dave Canales has his work cut out for him. They ended the preseason 0-3, and while preseason records are famously meaningless (remember the 0-4 Ravens team that won the Super Bowl?), the lack of execution from the backups is concerning.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, looks like they have a functional offense regardless of who is under center. Whether it’s Aaron Rodgers (who sat this one out) or the guys fighting for the #2 and #3 spots, the system Arthur Smith is running seems to be clicking.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Keep an eye on the waiver wire: Many of the Panthers who played in this game won't be on the roster by Tuesday.
- Steelers defensive depth: If Derrick Harmon's sprain keeps him out for Week 1, expect Yahya Black to see a significant jump in snaps.
- Fantasy sleeper alert: Lance McCutcheon showed real chemistry with the backup QBs. If there’s an injury in the Pittsburgh WR room, he’s the first name to watch.
The panthers vs steelers 2025 matchup wasn't a masterpiece, but it provided the answers both coaching staffs needed before the real bullets start flying in September. Pittsburgh moves on with a win and a lot to clean up, while Carolina just hopes their starters are as ready as they think they are.