The NFL is finally back. Well, almost. The first game of the 2019 regular season is Thursday's matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. However, let's focus on another game from the NFL's opening weekend.
The New England Patriots will play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night. The game features two of the winningest quarterbacks in NFL history. There will surely be some fireworks when the two storied franchises collide.
4. Two Patriots RBs with 100 total yards
New England has a treasure trove of running backs. To start, the team has Sony Michel. The Patriots drafted Michel with the 31st overall pick in last year's draft. Michel had four games with more than 100 rushing yards last season. He also crossed the 100-yard mark in Week 5 when he ran for 98 yards and caught a pass for another 12.
James White was also a significant contributor for the Patriots last season. White had three games last season with 100 total yards, largely relying on his role in the receiving game. He's a Swiss army knife that is very underrated in the grand scheme of the game.
On top of Michel and White, New England drafted Alabama's Damien Harris in the third round of this year's draft. It's hard to tell how much playing time Harris will see as a rookie, but Bill Belichick must have some plan for the young runner.
The Patriots have so many options that it's impossible to cover everyone. Two running backs with 100 total yards each would be a ridiculous achievement, but if any team can do it, it would be the Patriots.
3. Roethlisberger held below 250 yards
Ben Roethlisberger led the NFL in passing yards last season. He averaged 320.6 passing yards per game and finished the year with 5,129 total passing yards. He was held to below 250 yards just one time, in Week 15 against the Patriots.
The Patriots only had the 22nd-best pass defense in the league last season, yet they matched up well against the Steelers. Now that Antonio Brown is no longer in Pittsburgh, things will be more slanted in New England's favor. JuJu Smith-Schuster is the lone star receiver left for the Patriots to stop and First Team All-Pro cornerback, Stephon Gilmore is up to the challenge.
If Roethlisberger wants to excel against the Patriots, he'll have to rely heavily on younger, more unproven wide receivers.
2. Brady sacked six times
The Steelers have the best pass rush in the NFL over the past two seasons. Pittsburgh tied the Kansas City Chiefs for the most sacks in the league last season with 52. Back in 2017, the Steelers beat out the Jacksonville Jaguars for the sack crown with 56.
Pittsburgh's pass rushers have been on a tear the last two seasons and they're only getting better. T.J. Watt is entering his third season and is looking to take another step in his development. Cameron Heyward is now clearly in his prime. Bud Dupree is entering a contract year and will be motivated to up his production. Even nose tackle, Javon Hargrave had a career year in 2018.
The Patriots always cobble together a good offensive line to protect Tom Brady. I think the Steelers have enough firepower to blast through and get to Brady with regularity though.
1. Zero catches for Patriots tight ends
The big story this offseason for the Patriots was Rob Gronkowski retiring. The four-time First-Team All-Pro was limited with injuries last season, but he was still a key part of the offense. Gronkowski made 47 receptions for 682 yards and three touchdowns last season.
In years past, Gronkowski tortured the Steelers with big plays. In his limited state, he was held to two receptions and 21 yards against Pittsburgh last season. It's no coincidence that the Patriots lost the game.
New England did sign Benjamin Watson in the offseason, but he was suspended for four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. The 14-year veteran is also in the concussion protocol after taking a nasty hit in the preseason. The team also added Lance Kendricks, but he is suspended for one game due to the league's substance-abuse policy as well.
That leaves the Patriots with Ryan Izzo, who has never caught an NFL pass and Matt LaCosse, who is dealing with a high-ankle sprain. Expect the running backs to absorb the targets usually given to the tight ends.
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