New England Patriots kick-off their defense of the NFL title on September 8 with a tough-looking match-up at home with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Patriots have made nine Super Bowl appearances since 2001 and will undoubtedly be eager to start the new campaign with a victory.
However, they face a Steelers team that has a major point to prove after their failure to qualify for the play-offs last term. Read on as look at how both sides are shaping up ahead of the new season.
Expectations high in New England
Having reached the Super Bowl in four of the last five seasons it is fair to say that expectations will once again be extremely high in New England.
They are priced at 7/1 in the NFL odds with 888 to win the title for a seventh time and it would be a brave move to back against then doing just that.
Bill Belichick’s side are strongly fancied to start the new campaign with a victory, with the Steelers traditionally struggling when they visit New England.
The Patriots have been beaten just once at home by Pittsburgh since the turn of the century and will fancy their chances of extending that run in their latest meeting.
The club will have a new-look off the field, with many of Belichick’s backroom staff heading to pastures new this summer.
However, the 67-year-old knows what it takes to recruit successful coaches and it’s debatable whether the departures will have much impact.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski’s retirement is a blow, but with quarterback Tom Brady leading the offense it would be a major surprise if the Patriots don’t start the season with a win.
Pittsburgh on a recovery mission
The Steelers missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2013 and head coach Mike Tomlin could come under serious pressure if it happens again.
Star receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell have exited the club, allowing Tomlin some salary space to improve his roster.
Linebacker Devin Bush should prove to be a quality addition, while the arrival of Steven Nelson may resolve the Steelers’ problematical cornerback position.
Tying Ben Roethlisberger to a two-year, $68 million contract extension back in April is a huge boost to the franchise, and he will be key to their hopes against the Patriots.
JuJu Smith-Schuster will be the main threat out wide, although how he will cope with increased coverage now Brown has gone is an interesting conundrum.
The Steelers’ recent record in New England points to a home win, but Tomlin will be eager to see his team perform well.
A defeat on the opening day would put the Steelers on the back foot, and give the likes of Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns hope that they can cause them problems again in AFC North.
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