Steelers vs. Patriots: Full Pittsburgh Game Preview
Coming off of a rough preseason that saw one key receiver suspended four games, the starting center injured and out for half of the regular season and their star running back now suspended two games (originally was three but reduced to two on appeal), the Pittsburgh Steelers are chomping at the bit to get the regular season started.
Unfortunately, the reigning AFC North division champions draw the arduous task of taking on the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots at Foxborough and will be without Le’Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant and Maurkice Pouncey in the NFL's annual prime-time kickoff event on Thursday night.
This will be the Steelers’ third appearance in the annual kickoff game, which debuted in 2002. In previous appearances, both at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh defeated the Miami Dolphins 28-17 on Sept. 7, 2006, and the Tennessee Titans 13-10 (OT) on Sept. 10, 2009.
Despite missing Bell, Bryant and Pouncey, the Steelers still feature Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown on offense, so Pittsburgh should be able to stay in the game with a revived Tom Brady and Patriots team with a major chip on its shoulder coming off of a trying offseason with Deflategate and the new developments in the 2007 Spygate scandal.
Here's the location and viewing info for Thursday night's action.
Location: Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, Massachusetts
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBC-TV (In Pittsburgh: WPXI-TV, Channel 11)
News and Notes
1 of 5
Todman, Lyons Join Steelers
With news of Bell’s suspension being reduced from three games to two games, the Steelers felt comfortable rolling with DeAngelo Williams, Josh Harris and Dri Archer for the first two weeks of the season while Bell served his suspension for last August’s arrest for DUI and marijuana possession.
However, Harris’ poor training camp and preseason showing, albeit slowed by a foot injury, caused him to be among the final cuts for the Steelers to get down to the required 53-man roster. Due to Harris’ release, the move left the Steelers perilously thin at running back without Bell available for the first two weeks.
Enter Jordan Todman, who (unfortunately for him, fortunately for the Steelers) was among the last cuts made by the Carolina Panthers. Todman played in the final preseason game for the Panthers against the Steelers at Heinz Field and added a 49-yard touchdown run, which really opened some eyes in the Steelers’ front office.
With no room on the 53-man roster, the Steelers had to release rookies Doran Grant and Anthony Chickillo to make room for Todman and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive lineman Caushaud Lyons.
Todman comes to the Steelers as a four-year veteran having played for the San Diego Chargers—who chose him as a sixth-round pick (183rd overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft—Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars. With 111 carries for 450 yards and three rushing touchdowns to go along with 40 receptions for 314 yards and two touchdowns for his career, Todman is a good scheme fit for what the Steelers offense likes to do under Todd Haley.
As for Lyons, the Steelers addressed a glaring need for depth along the defensive line. With second-year end Stephon Tuitt still dealing with a sore ankle, the Steelers didn’t have much behind him and Cam Heyward. Although Lyons won’t blow the doors off of people, he appears—at least up front—to be a viable rotation player should the Steelers need to substitute some fresh bodies up front late in the game.
Old Wounds Reopened
Tuesday proved to be another tough day for the Patriots organization, as ESPN published an investigative story by Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham that took a deeper look into the Spygate scandal that rocked the NFL back in 2007.
According to the article, the Patriots filmed at least 40 games over a span of seven seasons leading up to the breaking of Spygate early in the 2007 season. Then-New York Jets head coach Eric Mangini, a former Patriots assistant, told his owner, Woody Johnson, about the signal taping and stealing.
Among the games that were filmed, there were a number of Steelers videos and game notes, including the AFC Championship Game in 2002. The ESPN report cites a former Steelers assistant coach remains adamant that the Patriots “knew our signals.”
Despite the accusations and the newfound information, no one will ever know exactly what the Patriots did or didn’t do due to the destruction of the evidence ordered by the NFL following Spygate.
While many years have passed since Spygate and just Bill Belichick, Brady, Robert Kraft and the Rooney family are the only ones remaining from that 2002 AFC Championship Game, bad blood could resurface in the annual prime-time kickoff.
Harrison on the Hunt
James Harrison is nearing the end of his career in the NFL. The 2015 season will likely be his last in the league, but he wants to continue playing at a high level for the Steelers. He could get off to a good start Thursday night against the Patriots and Brady, whom he has just one career sack against coming all the way back in 2005.
That’s a pretty surprising number considering the number of sacks the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year has in his career.
For the Steelers' young defense to have any chance at slowing down Brady and Co., Harrison will have to lead the way off the edge and put heat on the Patriots QB.
Latest Injury News
2 of 5
Steelers Injury News
In the buildup to Thursday night's showdown, backup quarterback Landry Jones is the only Steelers player listed on the injury report. According to Steelers.com, Jones is going through concussion protocols and did not participate in Tuesday’s practice.
Patriots Injury News
Starting center Bryan Stork’s status remains in question for Thursday’s kickoff due to a concussion. He was the only Patriots player who didn’t participate in Tuesday’s practice.
Safety Tavon Wilson was limited in practice due to a quadriceps injury, while running back Travaris Cadet and rookie defensive end Trey Flowers returned to practice on Tuesday, according to Patriots.com.
Outside of Stork, none of the players listed on the injury reports are expected to play a significant role in Thursday’s game, although Flowers could see action as a rotational edge-rusher alongside Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich and Jabaal Sheard.
Key Matchups
3 of 5
Patriots Receivers vs. Steelers Cornerbacks
The Steelers defensive backs have a tall task standing in front of them this week, facing a receiving corps that prides itself on running after the catch, especially when Brady and Co. decide to dink and dunk down the field.
Under new defensive coordinator Keith Butler, the Steelers corners have continued to provide plenty of cushion on the outside, allowing underneath completions while planning on tackling the catch for minimal gain.
The problem is, the Steelers corners have had a rough go at trying to tackle the catch during the preseason. With Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Brandon Gibson and (likely this week) Aaron Dobson catching passes from Brady, cornerbacks Antwon Blake, Cortez Allen and William Gay will have to be at the top of their games when it comes to tackling the catch.
Steelers Offensive Line vs. Patriots Pass-Rushers
With no Bell on the ground to keep the Patriots defense more than honest, the Steelers offensive line will have to withstand the disruptive pass rush of the revamped Patriots defense, led by Chandler Jones and Ninkovich. Jones was tough to block one-on-one during the preseason while going against some solid left tackles in Green Bay, New Orleans and the New York Giants.
Looking to stop Jones, Ninkovich and Sheard on the outside, with Dominique Easley rushing from the inside, Steelers tackles Kelvin Beachum and Marcus Gilbert will have to thwart the rush early and often to keep Roethlisberger upright and functioning if the Steelers are to have any shot at beating the Patriots in Foxborough.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Matchup X-Factor
4 of 5
Steelers X-factor of the Week: Antwon Blake
With the release of the depth chart leading up to Thursday’s matchup with the Patriots, third-year cornerback Antwon Blake is listed as an outside corner in the Steelers’ nickel package, sharing the field with Allen on the far side and Gay in the slot.
A violent, physical cornerback at 5’8”, Blake seemingly beat the odds the past two seasons to play a prominent role in the Steelers' new-look defense.
Due to his physical playing style, Blake will have to be at his best, especially when the Patriots decide to dink and dunk down the field. Blake will need to lead the charge and make sure tackles, forcing the Patriots to try to take shots down the field. This will cause Brady to hold the ball longer, allowing for a second opportunity for Steelers pass-rushers to get to the 38-year-old.
Along with his play at corner, Blake will have a large role as a gunner on punts, a position he thrived in during the preseason. His speed is difficult to deal with in open space, and his physicality allows him to outmuscle blockers on the perimeter, which allows him to get down the field and try to make plays on special teams.
Prediction: Patriots 38, Steelers 24
5 of 5
If Bell, Bryant and Pouncey were playing in this game, my tone toward the matchup would be much different. However, with nearly 56 percent of the scoring (from Week 6 on in 2014) missing, it will be difficult for the Steelers to put up points in a hurry to keep pace with a recharged Brady, who will look to light up the league while proving a point.
Make no mistake: Roethlisberger will still put up points and tons of yardage in this game against a makeshift Patriots secondary, but without Bell and Bryant, it won’t be enough to overcome the efficiency of the Patriots offense.
Patriots 38, Steelers 24
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
