This morning I reminded you about the last time the Patriots played the Steelers. Now I'm going to give you my thoughts and concerns heading into tonight's game.
RAIN- It's going to be a wet one tonight. While normally I wouldn't care a whole lot about that, I'm a little nervous tonight. With the weather expected to be sopping wet, the safe play is usually to keep the ball on the ground. With LeGarrette Blount serving his one game suspension and the Patriots having released Jonas Gray, I have some concerns about who is going to be running the ball. While I like James White, he seems to be more of a guy to catch it out of the backfield. On an expected sloppy field, that is a pretty dangerous play call. I guess this is Brandon Bolden and Dion Lewis' big chance. While this may sound crazy, I wouldn't be surprised to see Patrick Chung line up as a back if needed as he often was the ball carrier during defensive drills this summer.
BIGGEST OFFENSIVE STRENGTH- In my opinion we should feed Rob Gronkowski and Scott Chandler the ball until the Steelers show they can stop it. Both of them have huge mitts to hold onto the ball with.
OFFENSIVE LINE- While injuries have changed the line, I still feel confident in their ability to protect Tom Brady.
RECEIVERS- If the Steelers put all their efforts into stopping Gronk, then the wide receivers could have some big opportunities. Ball security needs to be their biggest concern tonight.
BIGGEST OFFENSIVE STRENGTH- In my opinion we should feed Rob Gronkowski and Scott Chandler the ball until the Steelers show they can stop it. Both of them have huge mitts to hold onto the ball with.
OFFENSIVE LINE- While injuries have changed the line, I still feel confident in their ability to protect Tom Brady.
RECEIVERS- If the Steelers put all their efforts into stopping Gronk, then the wide receivers could have some big opportunities. Ball security needs to be their biggest concern tonight.
STOPPING BIG BEN- He's a hard man to take down, so when you get your chance you better make it count. Hopefully we don't get any weak roughing the passer calls. Chandler Jones always seems to get a few of those bad calls called against him. When it looks like we have him sacked, the young cornerbacks and safeties better not lose track of guys. Play the whistle and play the ball.
SPECIAL TEAMS- As usual, this is one of our strengths. I'm grateful that Belichick didn't mess around by letting anyone go for a week or two like he did last year. Stephen Gostkowski needs to do his usual splitting of the uprights. Additionally, he needs to make any kickoffs unreturnable. Ryan Allen needs to do what he's been doing consistently for the past two years, pinning guys inside their twenty. Hopefully, there isn't a repeat of last year's opening game where Allen had his only professional punt blocked. Pittsburgh special teams unit is pretty week. Their punter is a rookie while their kicker Josh Scobee has played all of his professional ball in Jacksonville. Scobee made both of his field goal attempts in the preseason.
SIDE NOTE- According to www.NFLWeather.com the Steelers have won 6 rain games in a row. The last time they lost in the rain was on 9/11/11 to the Ravens by a score of 35-7. The Patriots last loss in the rain was more recent as they lost on 10/14/12 to Seattle, in Seattle, by a score of 24-23.
SPECIAL TEAMS- As usual, this is one of our strengths. I'm grateful that Belichick didn't mess around by letting anyone go for a week or two like he did last year. Stephen Gostkowski needs to do his usual splitting of the uprights. Additionally, he needs to make any kickoffs unreturnable. Ryan Allen needs to do what he's been doing consistently for the past two years, pinning guys inside their twenty. Hopefully, there isn't a repeat of last year's opening game where Allen had his only professional punt blocked. Pittsburgh special teams unit is pretty week. Their punter is a rookie while their kicker Josh Scobee has played all of his professional ball in Jacksonville. Scobee made both of his field goal attempts in the preseason.
SIDE NOTE- According to www.NFLWeather.com the Steelers have won 6 rain games in a row. The last time they lost in the rain was on 9/11/11 to the Ravens by a score of 35-7. The Patriots last loss in the rain was more recent as they lost on 10/14/12 to Seattle, in Seattle, by a score of 24-23.
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