Tom Brady had the last laugh in his legal battle against the NFL and it’s now time for him to get back to football. With that distraction now behind him, Brady now looks to lead the New England Patriots into another championship season beginning this coming Friday, when they host the Ben Roethlisberger and the rest of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
For more Week 1 game preview, you can click here for Browns vs. Jets.
[sc:Football ]Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
When: Thursday, September 10, 8:30 AM ET
Line: Pittsburgh Steelers (+7) vs. New England Patriots (-7); total: 51.5– see all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: NBC
Betting on the Pittsburgh Steelers
[sc:NFL240banner ]Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers are out to deflate New England right out of the gate. That’s going to be easier said than done, but the Steelers do have the weapons, particularly on offense, to tame New England in Foxborough.
Although the absence of suspended running back Le’Veon Bell may cause imbalance to the Steelers’ offensive attack, the team nevertheless can lean on its formidable passing game against New England. The idea that Roethlisberger can put together huge numbers in Week 1 isn’t a far-fetched one considering the Pats’ stripped down secondary and a Vince Wilfork-less front seven.
Last season, Big Ben was tied for first with Drew Brees for most passing yards (4,952) and passing yards per game (309.5). Of course, that wouldn’t have been possible without wide receiver Antonio Brown destroying cornerbacks down field. Brown led the league with 129 receptions and 1,698 receiving yards with 13 receiving touchdowns to boot (second-most overall). Brown could have a great start, as the Pats no longer employ the services of corner Darrelle Revis.
Aside from Bell, Pittsburgh wide receiver Martavis Bryant is also set to miss the Steelers’ early season games, including Week 1, because of suspension. With that said, expect for the likes of Markus Wheaton and rookie Sammie Coates to pick up some of the slack in the passing game.
The Steelers may have some problems on defense given that they let opponents average 253.1 passing yards per game (27th overall) in 2014. The retirements of Troy Polamalu and Jason Worilds have left big holes in the Steelers’ D, ones that rookie Bud Dupree and Senquez Golson will have to fill.
Pittsburgh is 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS in its last four road games.
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Betting on the New England Patriots
That judge who overturned Tom Brady’s suspension? He may never need to buy his own beer in New England. With Brady assuming his usual starting quarterback role for New England, the Patriots went from being three-point home favorites to seven-point chalks for their Week 1 matchup against Pittsburgh.
Because Brady is now on board, the Patriots no longer have to prepare holding their breaths on the thought of having the untested Jimmy Garoppolo under center. Instead, they will have to look forward to Brady dissecting Pittsburgh’s questionable defense that finished last season just 26th in sacks (33.0), 25th in interceptions (11), and 27th in passing yards allowed per game (253.1) by throwing passes to the likes of Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, and Brandon LaFell.
Last season, Brady threw for 4,109 passing yards and 33 touchdowns with a 64.1 completion percentage. Gronkowski paced New England in 2014 with 1,124 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns caught, while Edelman and LaFell each had at least 953 receiving yards and combined for 11 receiving scores
The need for the Pats’ air attack becomes more apparent, considering the status of the team’s backfield. LeGarrette Blount, the Pats’ No. 1 running back, will serve a one-game suspension and will not be on the field in Week 1. Jonas Gray, on the other hand, was cut from the team despite being the Pats’ leading rusher last season. Due to these developments, the Pats’ running game will be left with the pair of Brandon Bolden and Travaris Cadet likely sharing most of the work load.
With New England’s defense losing lots of key personnel over the offseason – Vince Wilfork and the cornerback trio of Revis, Brandon Browner and Kyle Arrington – and replacing most of them with unproven commodities, the Pats will likely have to earn a win against Pittsburgh through their offense.
New England is 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in its last seven home games.
New England is 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in its last seven home games.
Writer’s Prediction
New England wins (–7) wins, 28-25.
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