Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. New England Patriots Odds And Preview
By Larry Snyder
One of the National Football League’s premiere match-ups is back in prime-time as the Pittsburgh Steelers open the season Thursday against the New England Patriots.
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When the Patriots and Steelers take the field Thursday, it will be the third time that they have met on Kickoff Weekend. They have split the previous two Week One match-ups. Pittsburgh won 16-13 at New England in overtime Monday, Sept. 3, 1979. The Pats claimed victory 30-14 Monday, Sept. 9, 2002 in New England.
The Black and Gold owns a 2-0 mark in the NFL’s annual prime-time kickoff event since the debut of the season format back in 2002. Let’s take a look now at the rest of the tale of the tape.
When: Thursday, Sept. 10
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts
Playing Surface: Field Turf
Series History: Began in 1972
Overall Regular Season: Steelers lead 14-9
At Pittsburgh: Steelers lead 10-6
At New England: Steelers lead 4-3
Streak: Patriots won last match-up
Last Regular Season Meeting: Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013 at New England (Patriots 55 – Pittsburgh 31)
Neutral Sites: N/A
Post Season Record: Patriots lead 3-1
Last Post Season Meeting: Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005 in Pittsburgh (Patriots 41 – Steelers 27)
Television: NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth with Michele Tafoya on the sideline
National Radio: Westward One Sports
Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Boomer Esiason with Ross Tucker on the sideline
Local Radio: WDVE 102.5 FM / WBGG 970 AM – Steelers Radio Network
Announcers: Bill Hillgrove and Tunch Ilkin with Craig Wolfley on the sideline
Sirius XM Satellite Radio: XM Channel 225, XM Internet 824
Spanish Radio: Available on Steelers.com/espanol
Live Stream (Pay): NFL Sunday Ticket / NFL Game Pass
Odds: Steelers +7.5 per the Bovada Online Sportsbook with the Over/Under at 52.5.
Weather Channel Online Forecast: Cloudy with showers and thunderstorms expected in the evening. Low of 61. There is an 80 percent chance of rain, with winds out of the north to northeast at 10 to 20 mph.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Three Questions For Pittsburgh: Running back Le’Veon Bell and wide receiver Markus Wheaton are both suspended for substance-abuse violations. Can DeAngelo Williams and Darrius Heyward-Bey respectivey step in and contribute enough for the offense to put points on the board?
If Will Allen starts at strong safety, as some reports have indicated, is Shamarko Thomas finished as the possible replacement for Troy Polamalu? The 5-foot-9, 205-pound defensive back from Syracuse permitted three touchdowns during the preseason.
The preseason has seen two new faces succeed on special teams in punter Jordan Berry and placekicker Josh Scobee. Can they handle the pressure on the road to perform against the defending Super Bowl champions Patriots?
Injuries for the Steelers: Listed As Out: Quarterback Landry Jones. As of Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 4 p.m. ET, the Steelers did not list anyone as Doubtful, Questionable, or Probable.
Three Questions For New England: New England placed wide receiver Brandon LeFell on the active/physically unable to perform list. It means Tom Brady will not have one of his favorite targets, from last season, available. How much will LeFell’s absence hurt the passing attack?
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Former Steeler running back LeGarrette Blount also is sitting out for the Patriots Thursday because of a substance-abuse violation. The team released running back Jonas Gray in getting down to the 53-man roster this week. That leaves Brandon Bolden to lead the ground attack against the Black and Gold. Will Bolden succeed in Week One?
Last season Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner were the starting cornerbacks in New England. They and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork departed for greener pastures through free agensy. Can the Patriots defense deal with all the changes and remain effective?
Injuries for the Patriots: Listed As Out: Center Bryan Stork. Questionable: safety Tavon Wilson, running back Travaris Cadet, and defensive lineman Trey Flowers. The Pats did not list anyone as Doubtful or Probable.
Game Note To Consider: According to Peter King at SI.com, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has recorded an average of 37 points per game in his last three games against Pittsburgh.
My Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 27 and New England Patriots 24
Up Next: The Black and Gold open at Heinz Field Sunday, Sept. 20 as they host the San Francisco 49ers. It gets underway at 1:00 p.m. ET and you can watch every first-down on FOX.
Next: Steelers: Opening Game Preview And Prediction