What to Watch For: Steelers vs Patriots

Offensive line

At the beginning of training camp, the Patriots offensive line was expected to be a strength of the team, especially coming off of last season’s playoff run. 

However, that changed when center David Andrews was hospitalized with a blood clot in his lungs and is now officially out for the season. 

Last week, the Patriots traded for center Russell Bodine, but have since released him, meaning Ted Karras will likely make the start at center. 

“Ted's one of our most consistent players. He comes to work every day, first guy on the practice field kind of guy. He's always in-tune and alert to whatever you're telling him, whether it's field goal protection or pass protection or training or whatever it happens to be,” said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during his press conference on Friday.

The Patriots also traded for Jermaine Eluemunor and Korey Cunningham to provide depth. 

Another major question is at left tackle with second-year player Isaiah Wynn. After missing all of last season, Wynn will play his first NFL regular-season game on Sunday night. 

“There's high expectations for that position group, and there's been a lot of great players that have played those positions for us that are watching, that are paying attention,” said Tom Brady in his press conference on Wednesday. 

He added, “The guys who are playing now, Isaiah [Wynn] and Ted [Karras], they know they've got a big responsibility and they're prepared for it, and I think they're excited about their opportunity and they want to go make the best of it.”

The Steelers come into the game with a revamped fronts event including defensive tackle Cameron Hayward, defensive end Stephon Tuitt and linebackers TJ Watt and Mark Barron. 

Pittsburgh’s secondary is highlighted by Joe Haden and Stephon Nelson. 

Photo: University of Georgia athletics

Pats Receivers

The Patriots enter week one of the regular season with several questions about their receivers, other than Julian Edelman.

Demaryius Thomas saw time in the fourth preseason game and had seven catches with rookie quarterback Jarrett Stidham under center. He was also going up against the third and fourth stringers of the Giants.

Josh Gordon saw limited time in training camp, before seeing action in the fourth preseason game with Stidham.

Rookie Jakobi Meyers played well in the preseason, arguably New England’s best offensive player.

However, in the third preseason game with Tom Brady under center, he went 0-3.

“It's a challenging thing, and that's why it's not always as fluid as you would hope it to be because you prepare for eight months for this game, and then you're getting used to guys we haven't really played with. Or we signed, whatever, three or four new players at the end of cuts that are backups to different positions and they don't have any experience,” said Brady during his press conference on Wednesday.

Even Edelman missed time in training camp with a thumb injury.

Expect running backs James White, Sony Michel, and Rex Burkhead to be a big part of the passing game, at least early on in the season, until the receivers and get on the same page with Brady.

Photo: Jeff Beall/Flickr Commons

Jackson vs JuJu

Earlier this week, Patriots second-year cornerback J.C. Jackson said that Steelers star receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is not among the best receivers in the NFL.

Here is the exchange:

Q: How much confidence did you get going up against some of the best WRs in NFL last season now going into your second year?

Jackson: "Who are some of the best receivers in the NFL?" 

Q: JuJu [Smith-Schuster].

Jackson: "You think he's the best receiver in the NFL?" 

Q: One of.

Jackson: *Rolls eyes*

A few follow-ups were later asked.

Q: You’re not buying JuJu being one of the best receivers in the league?

Jackson: “In my opinion, I don’t think so. There’s a lot of good receivers in the NFL."

Q: What do you see in him?

Jackson: “I mean, he’s a great receiver. I’m not saying that. He’s a good football player. ... He’s physical. He’s a good route runner and he has strong hands. He makes a lot of plays on the ball.”

Last season, Jackson was in primary coverage on Smith-Schuster for most of the game and held him to four catches for 40 yards.

If these two are matched up on Sunday night, can Jackson once again contain Smith-Schuster?

PHOTO: Patriots media website

Michael Bennett

Defensive end Michael Bennett will make his Patriots regular-season debut on Sunday night, helping to anchor the much-hyped Patriots defense.

“It’s good now that I’m here, because I like everybody. Tom (Brady) is cool. The whole team is cool, so it’s good. It’s euphoric to walk in this building every single day and see the standard, the level of play, the expectations every single day at practice. It’s always good to be here, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to continuously build my career while I’m here,” Bennett told the media earlier this week.

Bennett made an appearance in the Patriots third preseason game and recorded a sack against Cam Newton after pushing a defensive lineman back into him.

In his career, Bennett has played 141 games and recorded 63 sacks and 240 solo tackles.

He has also forced 13 fumbles.

Last season in Philadelphia, Bennett recorded nine sacks and 25 solo tackles in 16 games for the Eagles.

PHOTO: Patriots media website

Tom Brady

Tom Brady has dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium throughout his career.

Brady is 4-0 in the regular season and 1-0 in the postseason against the Steelers at home.

“We played at their stadium quite a bit the last few years so it's good to get them here. We've got a great home crowd that puts a lot of pressure on their offensive side of the ball to make their communication really solid. But they're a great football team, they have a great history,” said Brady.

In five home games against the Steelers in his career, Brady’s completion percentage is 71.9, with 18 touchdowns and no interceptions.

He has also thrown for 1,797 yards and has a rating of 130.8.

The Steelers overall are 1-5 against the Patriots at Gillette, the only win coming win 2008 when Matt Cassel was the starting quarterback for New England.

Pittsburgh is also 0-2 in season openers in Foxboro.

PHOTO: Peter Bond/Flickr commons