Carolina Panthers vs Pittsburgh Steelers Preseason Recap: Panthers Fall 19-10 in Final Tune-Up Before Regular Season
There’s a unique tension that hangs over the final preseason game of the year.
The excitement of football returning is still in the air, but reality starts creeping in. Roster cuts loom. Depth charts tighten. And for players fighting to keep their NFL dreams alive, every snap matters.
That was the atmosphere inside Bank of America Stadium on August 21 when the Carolina Panthers hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers to close out the 2025 preseason.
With most starters resting, the spotlight shifted to backups and roster hopefuls. Unfortunately for Carolina, the night belonged to Pittsburgh as the Steelers walked away with a 19-10 victory, powered by an efficient performance from quarterback Skylar Thompson and a flawless night from kicker Ben Sauls.
First Quarter: Panthers Get on the Board First
The Panthers struck first midway through the opening quarter.
Carolina drove deep into Steelers territory before settling for a 43-yard field goal from Ryan Fitzgerald, giving the Panthers a 3-0 lead and energizing the home crowd.
While the drive showed promise, it would end up being one of the few consistent offensive moments Carolina had throughout the night.
Second Quarter: Steelers Find Their Rhythm
The momentum shifted dramatically in the second quarter.
After replacing Mason Rudolph at quarterback, Skylar Thompson immediately injected life into the Pittsburgh offense. Thompson completed his first several passes and eventually connected with wide receiver Lance McCutcheon on a 24-yard touchdown pass, giving the Steelers their first lead of the game.
Carolina briefly answered.
Quarterback Jack Plummer engineered a solid drive and found tight end James Mitchell for a 7-yard touchdown, putting the Panthers back within striking distance.
But Pittsburgh responded quickly. Ben Sauls drilled a 38-yard field goal just before halftime, sending the Steelers into the locker room with a 10-7 lead.
Third Quarter: Steelers Defense Tightens
The second half belonged almost entirely to Pittsburgh.
Carolina struggled to move the ball consistently, while the Steelers leaned on their kicking game and field position. Sauls added another 50-yard field goal, extending Pittsburgh’s lead to 13-10.
Despite strong rushing efforts from Raheem Blackshear, who led the Panthers with 35 yards on the ground, Carolina’s offense stalled repeatedly.
Fourth Quarter: Pittsburgh Seals the Game
The Steelers continued to widen the gap late in the game.
Sauls remained perfect on the night, converting two additional field goals to finish 4-for-4, accounting for 12 of Pittsburgh’s 19 points.
Thompson finished the game 11-of-13 passing for 152 yards and a touchdown, making a strong case for a roster spot heading into the regular season.
Carolina threatened to rally late but could not sustain drives, allowing the Steelers to close out the preseason victory.
Final Score: Steelers 19, Panthers 10
Key Game Stats
Pittsburgh Steelers
Skylar Thompson: 11/13, 152 yards, TD
Lance McCutcheon: 3 receptions, 52 yards, TD
Ben Sauls: 4/4 field goals
Carolina Panthers
Jack Plummer: 1 passing TD
Bryce Perkins: 10/11 passing, 71 yards
Raheem Blackshear: 35 rushing yards
Final Thoughts: Preseason Ends, Real Football Begins
The loss capped an 0-3 preseason for Carolina, but the results matter far less than the evaluations. Coaches now turn their attention to trimming the roster and preparing for the grind of the regular season.
For the Panthers, the preseason revealed both promise and concerns—particularly on offense where consistency remains a work in progress.
But preseason is about preparation, not perfection.
Now the real games begin.
