Preview: 2015 – Game 1 – New England Patriots

The kickoff to the 2015 NFL season is upon us. The Pittsburgh Steelers open up on the road, playing in the home of the defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots.

The key headline going into this game was whether or not Tom Brady would play. Brady, facing a 4 game suspension for allegedly having a hand in deflating footballs last postseason, had his penalty upheld and will appear Thursday night. (Editor’s note: as if there were any doubt. This is the marquee, prime time game for the NFL, with one of it’s biggest stars, in one of it’s biggest TV markets. Did we really think Jimmy Garoppolo was going to start?)

Therein lies the doubt in the minds of Steeler fans. We’ve seen what the combination of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have done in the past. They seemingly reload, and win their division every year. Last year they bolstered their defense to take on offensive juggernauts such as the Colts and Broncos. They had to, because in 2013, they had an abysmal record against playoff teams. And that’s why I feel the Steelers have more than a good shot to “upset” New England at home.

This is a team which lost last year’s defensive additions in Darrelle Revis and Akeem Ayers, and let long-time NT Vince Wilfork and another CB, Brandon Browner, depart via free agency. This could bode well for Pittsburgh, who is relying on backup Cody Wallace at center, to help pass protect. It also bodes well if Ben has time, as no one is better at extending plays: combine that with the equally elusive Antonio Brown, and despite not having Le’Veon Bell or Martavis Bryant, the Steelers should still be able to air it out on a weakened Patriots defensive unit.

Some of the other Patriots defenders, such as linebackers Donte Hightower and Rob Ninkovich may still give the Steelers fits, but I’ve always felt the Patriots defense were overachievers, and the front office had always been good at finding short-term fixes via free agency. I’m not convinced those holes have been patched, but it’s early to tell for sure.

I’d gamble by saying they have returned to 2013 form, which makes them susceptible. Also, the Patriots opened last season 2-2. Many critics were calling it the expected demise of Tom Brady and that he was entering the twilight of his career. Of course, we know how that turned out, nonetheless, the Pats dropped 33 and 42 points to the Dolphins and Chiefs in that 4 game span.

Neither of those teams put up offensive numbers like the Steelers did in 2014, and if the Patriots truly are reeling defensively, this would bode well for the black and gold. While they made the conference championship in 2013 as well, it helps that they’ve been able to tack on wins against talent-less teams such as the Bills, Dolphins and Jets for years. That means they put up a good record, get a bye and only need to win one game to get in the AFC title game. Must be nice…

But enough about the defense: also potentially weakened is the Patriots offense. Actually, it’s good they get Brady and a healthy Rob Gronkowski back, because the rest of this side of the ball is a mess. It would’ve been great to get some payback on LeGarrette Blount, who walked out on the Steelers last season, but he’s suspended for game 1 (for the same incident Le’Veon Bell is suspended two games for.) This leaves New England with a rotation of Brandon Bolden, Dion Lewis and James White in the backfield: can the Patriots churn out another one-hit wonder on the ground?

Then there’s the receiving corps: Julian Edelman sat all of the preseason with an undisclosed ankle injury. (The Patriots, as usual, have been tight-lipped about his status for Thursday.) Edelman accounted for 105 catches, 1,056 yards and 6 TDs in 2014, and was targeted by Brady at least 10 times in the final 7 games of the season. Losing him would be like the Steelers losing Antonio Brown. This might leave Gronk as the lone “big” threat in the Pats offense: vertical speedster Brandon LaFell is also hurt, and was placed on reserve/PUP list to start the season. He will not be eligible to play until week 8.

While indications point toward Edelman suiting up for the game, if he’s not available, it leaves the Patriots with Danny Amendola and Aaron Dobson. Both players were considered on the bubble to make the final 53-man roster. Amendola was more of a salary cap casualty candidate, due a roster bonus this season, while Dobson’s job was in jeopardy when the team signed Reggie Wayne. Wayne asked for his release, saving Dobson’s job.

Amendola, on the other hand, is a steady WR when he’s healthy: he only started 4 games last season, with his 4 starts good for only 27 catches, 200 yards and a single touchdown. He had a coming out party in the playoffs, excelling in two games where he averaged 5 catches and roughly 50 yards receiving against the Ravens and Seahawks, but then was completely shutout by the Colts. At best he’s a wildcard in the season opener.

And while all of this article has been about the Patriots, it’s clear to show Steeler Nation that New England, like most teams following a Super Bowl, are trying to patch together the remnants of a squad who hoisted the Lombardi trophy earlier this year. It’s happened to other franchises and they usually do not recover well the season following that big win. Many do not even make the playoffs.

This is where opportunity lies for the Steelers.

The offense will sorely miss Bell and Bryant, but I believe there’s more than enough talent in the “next man up” at those spots, especially with DeAngelo Williams. Williams is the player the Steelers truly missed having in the miserable playoff loss to the Ravens: having less than a week to get free agent Ben Tate up to speed, who had missed key blocks and turned the ball over, as well as undrafted RB Josh Harris who didn’t move the ball well. (Note: Neither of those players are still with the team.)

At WR, Antonio Brown has gotten it done regardless of who has been on the opposite side. Markus Wheaton is fast and more than capable of getting open on his own. Heath Miller is the same player he has been, albeit slowly regressing from YAC since his injury a couple years back. Ultimately, everything will hinge on Ben Roethlisberger being as sharp as ever: I can picture a game much like the Colts match last year, with both teams firing back and forth.

In that game, the Steelers defense came after Andrew Luck, who also had a lack of running game and was missing his established receiving option. Should the Steelers jam Gronk, something they’re reportedly going to do, this could leave Brady without many other options. If it sounds familiar, it should.

That’s where I feel the Steelers will triumph. A few good defensive stands and winning the turnover battle, will go a long way toward a victory. It’s up to Mike Tomlin to outprepare Belichick, and I think that’s where most of our doubt lies. Pittsburgh teams are always slow starters, and even a flurry of offense in last year’s opener against the Browns was met with moans and groans when Cleveland rallied in the 2nd half: the Steelers eked out a victory on Shaun Suisham’s last second field goal.

At least I believe our special teams will be off the charts this season, as Josh Scobee and Jordan Berry are set to help our team win. Scobee will pickup where Suisham left off, while the rookie punter has been hanging deep punts and allowing the coverage team to make plays in the preseason. So unless the Steelers are a complete dumpster fire of penalties, turnovers and other miscues, this is their chance to show the world they should be in the discussion of the NFL’s best.

But I’m also prepared to accept the disappointment that comes with playing the Patriots. I’m going to give the edge to my team, with the caveat that both squads will combine easily for over 50 points in the NFL kickoff showcase.


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