START 'EM

Panthers: None.

Steelers: QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Rashard Mendenhall, WR Mike Wallace, K Shaun Suisham, defense and special teams.

Quick slants: Roethlisberger has thrown only two touchdown passes in his last four games, but he is averaging 260 yards per game and seems due for a big night. ... Mendenhall hasn't been as effective on the ground since Roethlisberger returned from a four-game suspension -- two 100-yard games, compared to two in the Steelers' first four games. Regardless, he's rushed for 1,173 yards and 10 TDs, and he is facing a Carolina run defense that ranks 23rd in the league at 126.2 yards per game and has given up the second-most rushing TDs (17). ... Suisham is perfect on 10 field-goal attempts in five games since replacing Jeff Reed, and he's averaging 8.2 points per game. ... The Steelers' defense is tied for first in the league at 15.7 points allowed per game. Pittsburgh is third in total yards allowed, first in rushing yards allowed and 24th defending the pass.

SIT 'EM

Panthers: QB Jimmy Clausen, RB Jonathan Stewart, RB Mike Goodson, WR Steve Smith, WR David Gettis, K John Kasay, defense and special teams.

Steelers: WR Hines Ward, WR Emmanuel Sanders, TE Heath Miller.

Quick slants: Clausen has two touchdown passes in 243 attempts and has been intercepted seven times. His passer rating is 59.1. ... Stewart has rushed for a combined 270 yards in his last two games and has averaged 115 yards on the ground in his last four, but I wouldn't play him against a defense that is allowing 63.4 rushing yards per game. The Steelers give up 3.0 yards per rush and have yielded only five TDs on the ground. ... Goodson had a TD in three consecutive games prior to last week, when he had 21 yards on 10 carries. ... Former fantasy stud Smith hasn't reached the end zone since Week 2 and has had two receptions in three of his last four contests. ... The Panthers' defense is ranked 12th overall, but is 24th in points per game (25.0) and 23rd vs. the run. ... Ward has zero TDs since Week 9 and has had 34 receiving yards or fewer in four of his last six games. In the other two contests in that span, he had a combined 15 catches for 222 yards, so he tends to be an all-or-nothing option at age 34. ... Miller has missed the last two games because of a concussion, but will play tonight. He hasn't had a TD since Week 6.