The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers met at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on August 21, 2025. This game was the last game of the preseason for both teams. The Steelers won the match with a score of 19 to 10. In this article, we will look at the player stats, the key moments, and what this game meant for both teams before the regular season started.
Match Overview
This game was the third and final preseason game for both teams. The Steelers came into the night with a record of 1 win and 1 loss. The Panthers had lost both of their first two preseason games. By the end of the night, Pittsburgh improved to 2 wins and 1 loss, while Carolina finished the preseason with 0 wins and 3 losses.
Coaches often use the final preseason game to test young players and backups. Because of this, many starters on both teams did not play much, or did not play at all. The Panthers rested nearly all of their top players and key backups. The Steelers, on the other hand, put a few starters on the field, which turned out to be an important decision, as we will explain later.
Pittsburgh Steelers Player Stats
Skylar Thompson Leads the Offense
The biggest name of the night was Steelers quarterback Skylar Thompson. He had a great game, completing 11 of his 13 passing attempts for 152 yards. He also threw one touchdown pass. His passer rating for the game was 141.0, which is a very strong number. This kind of performance is one reason coaches like to give backup players real playing time in preseason games. It helps them show what they can do when it matters.
Thompson’s touchdown pass went 24 yards to wide receiver Lance McCutcheon. This was one of the best plays of the game and helped set the tone for the Steelers’ win. After Thompson’s strong showing, the coaching staff gave playing time to two other quarterbacks, Logan Woodside and Mason Rudolph, so fans got to see the whole quarterback group in action.
Running Backs Get Preseason Reps
Running back Jaylen Warren played in his first preseason game of the year. He is expected to be the Steelers’ starting running back for the regular season. In this game, he had 3 rushing yards on two carries and added 12 receiving yards on two catches. His numbers were small, but that is normal for a starter who only plays a few snaps in a preseason game.
Rookie running back Kaleb Johnson also got some carries. He ran for 24 yards on five attempts. Johnson is expected to push Warren for more playing time once the regular season begins, so fans will want to keep an eye on how these two backs share the workload.
Defense and Special Teams
On defense, the Steelers had a tough night in one area. They allowed 171 rushing yards to the Panthers, which was actually the most rushing yards they gave up in any of their three preseason games. Even so, the Steelers defense held strong when it mattered most. After halftime, they did not allow Carolina to score a single point, shutting them out 9 to 0 over the final two quarters.
The night also brought some bad news. Rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, who was the Steelers’ first-round draft pick, had to be carted off the field in the second quarter with a knee injury. It was later confirmed as a sprained MCL. Head coach Mike Tomlin called the injury significant, and reports suggested Harmon could miss the first few weeks of the regular season. Losing a first-round pick, even in a preseason game, is always a tough blow for a team.
Special teams also played a big role in the win. Rookie kicker Ben Sauls had an outstanding night, making four field goals, including a 50-yard kick in the third quarter. Since the Steelers did not score any touchdowns besides Thompson’s pass, Sauls’ four field goals were a huge part of the final score.
Carolina Panthers Player Stats
Running Game Shows Promise
While the Panthers lost the game, their running game had some bright spots. As a team, Carolina rushed for 171 yards on 35 carries. Running back Trevor Etienne saw playing time and showed some good moments on the ground. The problem for Carolina was that this strong rushing output did not turn into points, especially in the second half, when the offense could not find the end zone at all.
Passing Game and Red Zone Struggles
Carolina’s passing attack had a total of 119 receiving yards. However, their net passing yards were only 84. This is because the Panthers’ offensive line allowed three sacks, which cost the team 35 yards. This shows how sacks can really hurt a team’s overall passing numbers, even when receivers are gaining decent yardage on completed passes.
Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, who is trying to win a roster spot, made a 43-yard field goal and one extra point for the Panthers. He is a rookie from Florida State and is competing for the kicking job heading into the regular season.
Defense and Depth Players
On defense, rookie linebacker Mark Robinson had a strong showing, recording a forced fumble during the game. Since most Carolina starters did not play, this game gave backup and rookie defenders a chance to show what they can bring to the roster. Outside linebacker Princely Umanmielen, another rookie, spoke after the game about the team’s winless preseason, saying he was not too worried about it, since preseason results do not always predict regular season success.
What This Game Meant for Both Teams
Even though this was just a preseason game, it gave both teams useful information. For the Steelers, Skylar Thompson’s performance was a nice surprise and gave the coaching staff confidence in their quarterback depth. However, the Derrick Harmon injury was a real concern going into the regular season, since losing a first-round pick on the defensive line is never easy to replace right away.
For the Panthers, the game showed that their running game has some potential, but their passing offense and red zone efficiency still need work. Being outscored 69 to 23 across three preseason games was not the start Carolina wanted, but preseason football is mostly about development, not final results.
After this game, the Steelers moved on to open their regular season on September 7 against the New York Jets. The Panthers opened their season on the same day, traveling to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars. Both teams took the lessons from this preseason matchup into their regular season plans.
Final Thoughts
The Pittsburgh Steelers vs Carolina Panthers match player stats tell a clear story. Pittsburgh’s strong quarterback play, reliable kicking, and tough second half defense were enough to secure the win. Carolina showed some promise on the ground but could not turn that into points, especially once sacks and red zone struggles got in the way. While this was only a preseason game, it gave fans a solid look at which players are ready to make an impact once the real games begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Steelers vs Panthers game?
The Pittsburgh Steelers won the game 19 to 10 over the Carolina Panthers. The game was played on August 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Who was the top performer for the Steelers in this game?
Quarterback Skylar Thompson was the top performer. He completed 11 of 13 passes for 152 yards, threw one touchdown, and finished with a passer rating of 141.0.
Did any players get injured during the game?
Yes. Steelers rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, the team’s first-round draft pick, left the game in the second quarter with a sprained MCL. He was expected to miss the opening weeks of the regular season.
