Sep 18, 2014 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – Eight players in NFL history have won the Defensive Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year awards at different points in their careers.

Only one of those players – former New York Giants’ star Lawrence Taylor – won both faster than Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly. And that was because Taylor won both awards in his rookie season.

Kuechly, Carolina’s do-it-all inside linebacker, followed up winning the award for being the league’s best defensive rookie in 2012 with being named best defensive player in 2013.

He’s been a big part of a defensive unit in Carolina that has allowed just one rusher, Buffalo’s C.J. Spiller, to rush for more than 100 yards in the past 22 games.

“He’s real rangy,” said Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell of Kuechly, whom he will face Sunday when the Steelers (1-1) play at Carolina (2-0).

“He’s a solid tackler. You look at him on film, a lot of linebackers will miss tackles. Even if he’s not in a position to make a solid tackle, he finds a way to grab a jersey or a leg or something and still get the guy to the ground.”

After recording 164 tackles and two interceptions as a rookie, Kuechly was in on 156 stops and had four interceptions last season. This season, he has 20 tackles and a sack.

Bell, meanwhile, leads the AFC and is second in the NFL in total yardage with 304 (168 rushing, 136 receiving) and his ability to get yards against the Panthers could be the key to the Steelers having a chance to hand Carolina its first loss.

“I’ll take him versus any defense, especially with the guys we have up front,” said Steelers tackle Marcus Gilbert of Bell.

Even with Spiller’s 103-yard effort against the Panthers last season, Carolina does an excellent job of containing the run. In their past 22 games, the Panthers have limited the opponent’s top running back to an average of 37.3 yards per game.

The Panthers have shown some cracks this season. Despite giving up just 86 rushing yards per game, Carolina is allowing an average of 4.9 yards per attempt. Opponents, however, have attempted just 35 runs.

“I think the thing is that they get teams to get out of their run (game) quickly,” Steelers guard David DeCastro said. “They force teams to pass. It’s kind of what happened to us last week. We had a chance to run the ball well, but we didn’t put points on the board. When you can’t put points on the board, you’re throwing. No offense in this league is good in that situation, when you’re dropping back to pass and there’s no threat of a run. You’re going to get embarrassed. We have to establish the run and keep it going.”

Bell had just 11 carries in a 26-6 loss at Baltimore last week, but gained 59 yards. He’s averaging 5.3 yards per carry and 12.4 yards per catch on his 11 receptions.

Bell has been particularly effective as a receiver. That’s where Bell and Kuechly could match up one-on-one.

“I’m not sure what they’re going to do,” said Bell. “I’m pretty sure they have the confidence that they can check me one-on-one. I’m confident I can beat them one-on-one. We’ll see what happens in the game.”

But the Steelers feel up to the challenge of facing the defending Defensive Player of the Year.

“You always like to play the best,” said DeCastro. “To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.”

Odds and end zones

Guard Ramon Foster missed his second consecutive day of practice for the Steelers with an ankle injury, but will try to practice today. … Running back Dri Archer (ankle) was limited for the second consecutive day. … Nose tackle Steve McLendon (shoulder) made it through his second consecutive day of practice and appears to be ready to play against the Panthers. … Steelers safeties Troy Polamalu and Mike Mitchell both avoided fines for hits that were penalized during last week’s game against the Ravens.