5 players to watch when the Steelers finally face the Patriots
Ever since the 2017 NFL Schedule was released earlier this year there was one date marked on every Steelers and Patriots fans calendar: December 17th. That’s when these two teams finally collide for the first time since last year’s AFC Championship game.
And since that last time, opposing sides of the argument have their say over who is and isn’t favored to win the game. Online, all betting sites currently have the Steelers as a three-point underdog Sunday with an over/under set at 53 points. Regardless, each team was expected to be where they are currently heading into this colossal matchup.
Here are five players to keep on eye out for on Sunday.
Tom Brady
Does Tom Brady have what it takes to turn the Patriots around on a short week, on their third of three straight road games, following an embarrassing loss to the Miami Dolphins?
It usually doesn’t go well when you bet against Brady, so I’ll just leave my comments at that.
Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben has been lighting up scoreboards at Heinz Field for the last three home games. Roethlisberger has attempted 156 passes in those three games and looks to lift the Steelers to victory Sunday with perhaps another stellar performance.
In his last four games, Roethlisberger has had a 102.6 QB rating while throwing for 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
While all eyes are on a seemingly ageless Tom Brady, they should also scope out Ben, who hasn’t played the Patriots at home since 2011.
Martavis Bryant
Want to see someone who’s never played against the Patriots but could have a huge impact?
Bryant is that player. That’s why Steelers Nation went bonkers over his suspension situations over the last several seasons, as he could be the key to finally getting over the Patriots hump for Pittsburgh.
Stephon Gilmore
Gilmore came over from New England’s division rival, the Buffalo Bills, this offseason and upgraded their other cornerback position which was previously occupied by Logan Ryan.
Gilmore has seven passes defensed and two interceptions this season, but is a lockdown corner hardly like any other in the NFL. The aforementioned Ben and Bryant “watch” statuses key in on what Gilmore can do for the Patriots defense.
Dion Lewis
The Patriots typically play a running back by committee approach, meaning, you’ll never know who is going to carry the rock any given Sunday.
If I had to place bets, this weekend it will be Lewis, who leads the team in rushing and is a more than capable receiver out of the backfield. He fits the mold of what the Ravens were able to do last week with Alex Collins in their backfield. There’s no way Bill Belichick didn’t see that performance on film and isn’t thinking of ways to exploit the same holes for his team.
