With the celebrated NFL Deflategate issue somehow done and over with, the New England Patriots buckle down to work as they start their title-defense against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Thursday.
Tom Brady will be suiting up after a previous four-game suspension was nullified by a US Federal court. To recall, Brady was being accused of being aware of the underinflated footballs and was thus meted the four-game suspension by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
With Brady suiting up, the Patriots have now become favourites against the Steelers. New England is looking to make it back-to-back once more, doing the trick back in 2004. However there are a lot of things that have changed ever since their triumph over the Seattle Seahawks last year.
Gone are two cornerbacks in Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner who tested the free agent market. Another player who will be out is running back LeGarrette Blount who is serving a one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policty.
Still around will be safety Devin McCourty along with Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler and Patrick Chung, holdovers who are likely to get bigger roles for the Pats.
All that starts Thursday night against the Steelers who are heading into the match with perhaps limited offensive capability. Then again the real worry is the Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger.
Roethlisberger will perhaps be the biggest thorn for the Patriots when the NFL season officially starts, known to be good at making plays and bailing out the Steelers from broken ones at that.
One thing going against the Steelers is of course that Roethlisberger will be looking at other players to fill up certain positions. Gone from the Steelers roster are Le’Veon Bell and Martavius Bryant due to suspensions. Wide receiver Antonio Brown will however be around.
Brown is entering his sixth season with the Steelers. He led the team with 1,698 yards and 13 touchdowns off 129 receptions last year and is considered a key element in helping out Roethlisberger down the sidelines.
Could this tandem hold the fort for the Steelers?
A lot of attention will be on Brady as well. With that four-game suspension lingering in the air, the nullification should be something to cheer about but is he fit and ready both physically and mentally headed to Thursday’s match?
The last time the Patriots and the Steelers met was way back in 2013 where the Patriots won handily, 55-31.
The Patriots hold an edge via Odd Shark computer: 29.8-23.7.