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)

In a Thursday night spotlight, the Steelers defense held Carolina to a mere 3 points again in a 27-3 routing.

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.

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

Following that 1996 slip-up, the Steelers went on a relentless crusade, winning the next seven consecutive regular-season games.

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.

The against the Carolina Panthers, turning a cross-conference clash into a tale of absolute dominance. 🐾 The Lone Panther Roar (1996)