What a maddening game to watch as a Panthers fan. We could see it coming from the very start of the game when the Panthers failed to convert a 4th down gamble on their very first drive. It was all but confirmed when kicker Graham Gano¡¯s 4th quarter go-ahead field goal attempt slipped to the right. The final nail was the inevitable deep ball catch against a flailing Panthers defender. But let¡¯ save that for last. If I¡¯m going to play of a very worn clicke I¡¯m going to do it right  https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Daryl-Williams-Jerse y , Let¡¯s set the stage properly...The goodThis is easily running back Christian McCaffrey who showed his versatility versus the Seahawks. He recorded over 100 yards rushing and receiving for 237 yards total and two touchdowns. From Pro Football Focus ¡®Insights Newsletter¡¯:There is no doubting that McCaffrey got very lucky with the fumbles not resulting in any turnovers. But that was not the worst play of the day.The badThough Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had an otherwise banner day his pass into the end zone that was picked off by safety Bradley McDougald was a very bad decision. So that is not all bad. Does anyone feel that we missed wide receiver Devin Funchess? I¡¯m completely okay with wide receiver D.J. Moore getting nine targets a week, if not more. The uglyHow can this not be the defensive secondary? I understand that we lost rookie cornerback Donte Jackson on the very first play of the game. I just never expected our back-ups to be so unprepared to step in. Is Ross Cockrell ready to come back yet? No? Well crap I have no idea what we are going to do if Jackson misses any more time. Panthers defensive coordinator Eric Washington owns a portion of this of course. He did dial up some early blitzes that caught Russell Wilson by surprise. But as the game progressed he in turn burned the Panthers on the blitz. Without a pass rush this secondary is going to get ripped in Tampa this Sunday. This week I spoke with Jeff Hartman of Behind the Steel Curtain. He gave us the fan¡¯s perspective of James Conner¡¯s ascendance, the Steelers rebuilt defense, and how embarrassing it was to watch their team tie the Cleveland Browns. The last one is the bit that worries me. I can¡¯t imagine a better way to motivate a team than to tell them early in a season that they are exactly as good as Cleveland. We have Hartman¡¯s opinions on those subjects and more to get you ready for tonight¡¯s game.Cat Scratch Reader: James Conner has kept y¡¯all from missing Le¡¯Veon Bell too much. Is the kid that skilled or is the Steelers¡¯ offensive line having an all-time run blocking season?Behind the Steel Curtain: I would say it is definitely a combination of both. Conner has a burst, and other skill sets, Bell doesn¡¯t have, but he has also shown he can do everything the Steelers asked Bell to do from a running and receiving perspective. On top of that, the Steelers¡¯ offensive line has been playing out of their minds this season paving the way for Conner and keeping Ben Roethlisberger clean. CSR: Speaking of offensive lines, Bud Dupree is finally showing his potential to beat them and become a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. What changed?BTSC: The hope is Dupree is a late bloomer in regards to his technique. When drafted out of Kentucky he was extremely rough around the edges https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Donte-Jackson-Jersey , and actually never had an outside linebacker coach until he came to the Steelers. It has taken time, but Dupree is starting to look more competent each week, and less like a first round bust.CSR: The Steelers¡¯ new look secondary seems to be pulling it all together. What weaknesses still exist for the Panthers to take advantage of?BTSC: Opposite Joe Haden is a black hole which has yet to be filled. Former first round pick Artie Burns was supposed to be the guy opposite Haden, but hasn¡¯t played a defensive snap since being benched for tardiness to a walkthrough prior to the team¡¯s Week 8 game vs. the Browns. In his stead has been Coty Sensabaugh. Sensabaugh has played well, but is the weak link on the back end of the secondary. Other than Sensabaugh, I would suggest targeting rookie safety Terrell Edmunds. He takes bad angles and is certainly a liability in coverage.CSR: How embarrassing was it for Steelers Nation to tie with the Browns?BTSC: It was more than embarrassing. Some would say humiliating. While the Browns, and their fans, rejoiced over not losing a game, the Steelers viewed it as a loss. A big Greg Olsen Jersey , fat L.CSR: What¡¯s your prediction for tonight?BTSC: The Steelers are tough at home, despite their early season woes, and it is always difficult for the visiting team on Thursday Night Football. When looking up some stats on these two teams, it is uncanny how similar they are... in all aspects. Nonetheless, I like the Steelers at home vs. the Panthers. It should be a close game, and a high scoring contest. Steelers - 34Panthers - 26