The Athenaeum Forum

Panthers coach Ron Rivera was asked about some of his aging stars yesterday Stephen Curry Jersey , and how glad he was to get them a win in an otherwise meaningless season finale.“It was probably the best way to send Ryan and Pep on their way,” Rivera said, of Ryan Kalil and Julius Peppers, via Joe Person of . “Two great Panthers. It’s kind of nice for them.”There’s only one problem with that statement. Kalil had already announced he was retiring at season’s end. Peppers did no such thing. In fact, those close to the future Hall of Fame defensive end tell PFT that he is seriously contemplating a return for an 18th season in 2019.He didn’t speak to reporters after the game, and Rivera admitted he might have been spitballing.“I’m assuming,” Rivera said. “Maybe there’s something I don’t know. So, we’ll see. I just really do appreciate who those two guys are.”The Panthers paid $5 million this year for five sacks from Peppers. That tracks along pretty well with his career production and pay, as he’s collected 159.5 sacks and made nearly $165 million in his career to do it.While his return to Carolina prior to the 2017 was seen as a last hurrah since he was returning to his home state (the Panthers drafted him second overall in 2002 out of the University of North Carolina), that isn’t necessarily the case. He’s left Carolina before (for Chicago’s free agent riches in 2010, after an ugly franchise-tag battle with the Panthers), and might need to do it again.The Panthers are in need of a pass-rush upgrade this offseason, with or without Peppers. But Rivera speaking as if the team has moved on may mean the team has Shaq Thompson Color Rush Jersey , even if Peppers hasn’t quite yet. Or, Rivera might have just been a little loose with his words. That has happened before too.Peppers’ sack total sits half a sack short of Kevin Greene for third place on the all-time list. He may try to move up a spot next year, even if the Panthers have moved on. Two teams headed for January football, the Panthers and Steelers, get to test their mettle on Thursday night. It should be a good one in prime time.Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin, who’s 1-1 in Super Bowls, isn’t admitting any postseason thoughts are in the minds of his players or himself. But he has to like how the Steelers have performed in four straight victories.“I’m not trying to look for specific areas, I just try to challenge these guys to get better every day,” Tomlin says.“That’s what we’re focused on. I think that if we do that daily that will give us a chance to produce consistent performances that are on the rise. Not only in the second quarter (of the season) but as we continue through this journey.”That journey has Carolina (6-2), ranked fifth in the AP Pro32, at No. 7 Pittsburgh. The Steelers (5-2-1) are a 5½-point favorite in the week’s best matchup.The Panthers have won three straight and five of six. They are particularly strong running the ball, though Pittsburgh is stingy in that area on defense.Carolina trails New Orleans by one game in the NFC South and leads the wild-card chase. Pittsburgh has a half-game lead in the AFC North over Cincinnati.This could come down to the final play, which would be a treat to begin Week 10.STEELERS Kawann Short Jersey , 33-31KNOCKOUT POOL: Pro Picks is on a roll, and the Bears kept it going. This time, we’ll buy into underachieving (or under skilled perhaps) GREEN BAY.No. 20 Dallas (plus 6 1-2) at No. 11 PhiladelphiaYes, it’s a bitter-rivalry game. But Eagles come off a bye, Cowboys off a poor showing.BEST BET: EAGLES, 27-16No. 1 New Orleans(minus 4 1-2) at No. 12 CincinnatiWith Eagles up next, Saints could stumble here. They won’t.SAINTS, 31-23No. 13 Seattle (plus 10) at No. 4 Los Angeles RamsThat’s a lot of points for a game that many Seahawks fans will attend.RAMS, 30-23No. 29 Arizona (plus 16 1-2) at No. 2 (tie) Kansas CityPro Picks rarely is afraid to lay so many points. So …CHIEFS 40, CARDINALS 22No. 22 Detroit (plus 6 1-2) at No. 10 ChicagoFirst of two meetings in less than three weeks.BEARS, 22-14No. 15 Washington (plus 3) at No. 25 Tampa BayRedskins’ record could plummet with all those O-line injuries.BUCCANEERS, 33-31No. 2 (tie) New England (minus 6 1-2) at No. 17 TennesseeBrady has Patriots in their usual fine November form.PATRIOTS, 31-19No. 14 Atlanta (minus 4) at No. 27 ClevelandAre the injury-ravaged Falcons in midst of a turnaround?FALCONS Vernon Butler Color Rush Jersey , 26-20No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers (minus 10) at No. 32 OaklandWe ask once again: Have Raiders given up?CHARGERS, 33-16No. 19 Miami (plus 10) at No. 16 Green BayDolphins have better record, Packers have much better team.PACKERS, 34-20No. 21 Jacksonville (plus 3) at No. 23 IndianapolisCould there be a worse matchup this weekend? Well, see below.JAGUARS, 21-20No. 31 Buffalo (plus 7) at No. 26 New York JetsCould there be a worse matchup? Well, see Monday night.JETS, 8-5No. 30 New York Giants (plus 3 1-2) at No. 28 San Francisco, Monday nightThe worst matchup. And in prime time.UPSET SPECIAL: GIANTS, 19-13