What the Pittsburgh Steelers need to do in order to defeat the Patriots

It is officially week 1 in the NFL’s 100th season. The Steelers open the season on the road in Foxboro for a match-up against the New England Patriots. Today we look at what it will take to beat the Patriots to start their 2019 campaign.

In the recent decade, the NFL usually has the defending champions kickoff against a high profile opponent. Instead, the Patriots will host the Steelers on Sunday Night Football on NBC.

This is significant as it is the first time since 2004 the defending champion has not opened up on Thursday Night. Additionally, the Patriots will lift their banner on their NFL record-tying 6th Super Bowl title. The only other team with 6 Super Bowls? The Pittsburgh Steelers.

This match-up is very intriguing. The Steelers defeated the Patriots last year in Heinz Field—the last time the Patriots have lost—by virtue of a stout defense, multiple Patriot pre-snap penalties, and ball controlling offense.

For the Steelers to come out of Foxboro with a victory, there will have to be a lot of things accomplished. While the Patriots thrive on a constantly changing roster, it will be a big test to see how Pittsburgh do with the loss of Antonio Brown.

Other than the departure of Antonio Brown and Leveon Bell, the Steelers have pretty good continuity on the roster. Pittsburgh in essence only has 3 brand new starters: Steve Nelson, Devin Bush/Mark Barron, and Donte Moncrief.

This, as well as a few other elements, could be the difference in the path to victory, or a culprit to defeat. Let’s start how the Steelers can avoid an 0-1 start for the fifth time this decade.