The Panthers make their first-ever regular-season appearance at Three Rivers Stadium as these clubs collide for just the second time.

Carolina managed an 18-14 triumph in 1996 at Ericsson Stadium in the only previous meetings between the teams.

Numbers: Panthers QB Steve Beuerlein has thrown two or more touchdown passes in five straight games, including three or more scores in each of his last four contests. The Panthers have scored 31 or more points in 7 of their last 11 contests. They have scored 230 points in seven wins, 126 points in seven losses in '99. The Panthers have been limited to fewer than 100 yards rushing in three straight games. In 45 regular-season games with Carolina (1996, 1998-99), Panthers OLB Kevin Greene has totaled 39.5 sacks (14.5 in '96, 15.0 in '98, 10.0 in '99).

Since 1996 (including playoffs), the Steelers are 27-6 when limiting the opposition to 17 or fewer points, 8-25 when giving up more than 17 points. The Steelers have allowed just 127 points in 12 wins (15 or fewer points in 10 of those contests) while giving up 429 points in 18 losses dating back to '98. After not committing a turnover in their first two games (2-0), the Steelers have committed 20 turnovers in their last 12 games (3-9) in '99. They have allowed 130 or more yards rushing in four straight games. The Steelers have allowed 38 points in five wins, 215 points in nine losses in '99.

Things to look for: Seemingly out of nowhere, George Seifert's Panthers are very much in the NFC playoff picture and are playing tremendous offensive football as QB Steve Beuerlein continues to light up opposing secondaries. Meanwhile, Bill Cowher's Steelers continue to fall apart as Pittsburgh's once-formidable has suddenly become vulnerable to the big play, which could be a major problem here.

Etc.: The Steelers have lost six straight games for the first time since 1988, when they lost six straight and eventually finished 5-11 under since-departed head coach Chuck Noll. The Steelers have not lost seven straight games in the same season since 1969, when they lost their final 13 games enroute to a 1-13 finish under Noll.

Including playoffs, the Panthers are 38-42 in their 80-game history (1995-99), 20-19 vs. the NFC West and just 18-23 against the rest of the NFL. The Panthers are 11-8 lifetime vs. AFC teams (2-1 in '99) dating back to 1995. The Steelers are just 15-20 vs. NFC teams (including Super Bowl XXX) dating back to '91 (2-0 in '99).

After opening 7-4 in '98, the Steelers are just 5-14 in their last 19 contests. The Steelers are 1-5 at home in '99, ensuring the first-ever losing season in the history of Three Rivers Stadium (1970-99). The Steelers have lost 3 straight home games and are 1-7 in their last eight home games dating back to '98, this after compiling a 163-55 record (.748) in their first 218 regular-season games at Three Rivers Stadium dating back to 1970.