Steelers @ Redskins: What to watch for

Monday Night Football, Steelers Style

Tonight is the season opener for the Pittsburgh Steelers and there are plenty of storylines to watch as the game unfolds.

The Steelers have several new, young players on defense and are missing several contributors on offense. The season opener will be a big test on the road to start the season.

Next: Antonio Brown vs Josh Norman

Their best against our best

Brown vs Norman already made the news leading up to the contest. Both players are elite competitors at their respective positions. This is a matchup the broadcast booth will be sure to point out to the viewers.

It will be interesting to see how many snaps the pair are in a one-on-one situation. Brown is likely to move all over the field, and the Redskins are likely to provide Norman with some help from other defenders.

It’s rarely a good idea to bet against Brown. Outside of Seattle’s Richard Sherman, no cornerback could limit Brown’s impact on a game during in 2015. The real thing that limited Brown was Ben Roethlisberger’s injury. One highlight of the season was Brown shredding Denver’s Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris Jr. Brown finished with 16 catches, 189 yards, and two touchdowns.

It will be great to see these two athletes battle it out on Monday Night Football. I give Josh Norman credit for being a great corner–one of the toughest positions on the field–but Antonio Brown is one of the greatest receivers of his generation. Brown also has an all-time great throwing to him.

Next: The rest of the Steelers’ skill players

Next man up

After Antonio Brown, the Steelers are missing most of their offensive fire power. Le’Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant are missing time due to suspensions. Ladarius Green and Markus Wheaton are out due to injury.

Anyone that watched the 2015 season knows backup running back DeAngelo Williams was up to the task of being the Steelers’ starter, but Williams is on the wrong side of 30 and coming off of an injury. There are also plenty of questions regarding the tight end and receiver positions.

Slot receiver Eli Rogers looks to build on a strong preseason. Sammie Coates looks to become a consistent contributor after a rocky one. Jesse James might not be the flashy down field threat that Green is, but he has improved so far in his short career and could be a red zone threat.

If the Redskins focus on limiting Brown, these players will have a great impact on the outcome of the game–win or lose.

Next: Rookies

Young guns

On defense, three rookies look poised to have significant involvement in the football game. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is listed as the starting nose tackle while defensive backs Artie Burns and Sean Davis should see some time in rotation at least. Linebacker Tyler Matakevich is listed as the primary backup to Ryan Shazier, and could also see some time with the defense.

Regardless of the number of defensive snaps the rookies get, they’re likely to be heavily involved on special teams. That will be a crucial portion of the game for the young linebacker and defensive backs in particular.

Next: Ryan Kerrigan vs Steelers’ Tackles

Protecting the edge

Kerrigan has been a great player for his entire career with the Redskins. He recorded 9.5 sacks in 2015 (more than a third of the team’s total) and just signed a big contract extension with Washington.

Alejandro Villanueva and Marcus Gilbert played well in 2015 and are happy to have their leader back in center Maurkice Pouncey. The pair will have their hands full blocking Kerrigan on Monday night.

Kerrigan moves around for the Redskins’ defense, but will primarily battle right tackle Gilbert. Gilbert is still nursing a hyperextended elbow that he sustained in the preseason. If he isn’t one hundred percent, Gilbert might need help from backs and tight ends to block Kerrigan.

In a 2012 matchup with the Steelers, Kerrigan recorded his team’s only sack in a Washington loss at Heinz Field.

Next: Ryan Shazier vs Kirk Cousins

A meeting of the minds

Shazier is a player to watch in every game that he starts. If it weren’t for injuries Shazier would likely have the numbers to be considered one of the best in the NFL at his position–there is no doubt he is one of the most gifted.

Shazier will call the defense against 2015’s most efficient passer. Cousins led the NFL in completion percentage last year and set an NFL record for completion percentage while playing at home (74.71%). Playing at FedEx Field in 2015, Cousins threw for 16 touchdowns to just two interceptions and added four touchdowns on the ground en route to a 6-2 home record.

Shazier is an intelligent football player, but often relies on his athleticism to make plays instead of his knowledge and anticipation. He is exactly the type of player that a quarterback like Cousins can take advantage of. Both players have the ability to ruin the opposing game plan, and on Monday night we’ll get to see who does a better job.

Next: Steelers’ Defenders vs Jordan Reed

Containing a mismatch

Jordan Reed is an immense talent at the tight end position. Kirk Cousins takes advantage of that. Reed is a size/speed tight end that poses matchup problems for defenses.

Reed is likely to see a variety of coverage combinations on Monday night. Shazier and Lawrence Timmons are the most likely candidates to cover Reed over the course of the night, but safeties Robert Golden and Mike Mitchell will also share some of the load.

It will also be interesting to see if second round pick Sean Davis is heavily involved in covering Reed. Davis was drafted for his size, speed, and versatility. He has experience playing both corner and safety and could give the Steelers’ nickel package some interesting coverage options.

Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t plan on trying to take Reed out of the game, but he wants to limit his impact.

Next: Sean McDonough

A new voice

Last but not least, we look to the broadcast booth. Sean McDonough begins his stint as Monday Night Football’s play-by-play commentator alongside color commentator Jon Gruden.

McDonough replaces Mike Tirico, who had held the position since 2006. Tirico signed with NBC earlier this summer.

Fans are accustomed to the Gruden and Tirico pairing, and will hear a different voice narrating the game on Monday night. No doubt, Gruden will still excel at being the man in the room that cares the most about football and football-related minutiae.

Next: Steelers @ 'Skins: Where to watch

McDonough just has to keep the broadcast on track while Gruden expounds on all of the nitty-gritty football details he’s uncovered during the lead up to his first real broadcast of the season. It will be interesting to see how the pair meshes over the course of the season.

There will be plenty of story lines for the new pair to discuss while they cover the Steelers at the Redskins on Monday Night Football.