Photo Credit: Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Welcome back NFL! In just a few short moments we will have meaningful football back on our televisions! It all kicks off at Gillette Stadium where the defending champs will take on Big Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers.
The Patriots are happy to have Tom Brady back after a rocky season that centered around under-inflated footballs. Â Brady was originally suspended four games for his actions in the DeflateGate scandal, however, the Super Bowl champ appealed the decision and had it overturned. Â While the offense is happy to have its leaders back, the defense is still missing a lot of key players. Â The departure of cornerback Darrelle Revis and nose tackle Vince WIlfork are huge for this team. Â Both are difference making players and the Patriots defense will really have to step up. Â Maybe a big year from Super Bowl 49 hero Malcolm Butler is in store?
The Steelers have a high powered offense that most teams could only dream of. Â However, they will be without their top running Le’Veon Bell tonight, serving a one game suspension from his arrest. Â Bell is expected to have another great season, but we will have to wait until next week to see him. The Steelers will also be without wide receiver Martavis Bryant who was suspended four games during the offseason for failed drug tests. Â This puts more pressure on top receiver Antonio Brown who can expect to see a lot of passes tonight. Â The Steelers defense is a big question mark with most of the names we’ve come to know over the years are gone. Â The Steel Curtain has gotten much younger and will be tested by Tom Brady tonight.
