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Disappointments meet as Panthers host Steelers

Dec 17, 2006 - 3:13 PM Pittsburgh (6-7) at Carolina (6-7) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers came close to meeting in Super Bowl XL last February.

Heading into Sunday's matchup, the Steelers and Panthers both have slim playoff hopes.

Last season, the Steelers won the Super Bowl while the Panthers lost in the NFC championship game. That led to predictions that the clubs could meet in Miami for Super Bowl XLI.

But both the Steelers and Panthers enter this contest among the biggest disappoinments in the league.

Pittsburgh is two games behind Cincinnati and Jacksonville in the AFC wild-card race. Carolina is one game back of the New York Giants, Philadelphia and Atlanta in the NFC wild-card race, but would lose most tiebreakers.

Some of the Steelers' struggles could be attributed to the inconsistency of Ben Roethlisberger, who leads the league with 20 interceptions.

Carolina also has had inconsistent play at quarterback with Jake Delhomme, who has thrown for 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Delhomme missed last Sunday's 27-13 home loss to the New York Giants with a right thumb injury. He is questionable for this contest.

Chris Weinke started against the Giants, completing 34-of-61 passes for a franchise-record 423 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions.

Willie Parker rushed for a franchise-record 223 yards and a touchdown as the Steelers posted a 27-7 victory over Cleveland last Thursday. Pittsburgh has won four of its last five games.

This game is a homecoming of sorts for Parker, who played collegiately at North Carolina. He was signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2004.

Pittsburgh is making its first visit to Carolina since 1996.