Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) vs. New England Patriots (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)
NFL Week 1
Date/Time: Thursday, September 10, 8:30pm
Where:Gillette Stadium Foxborough, MA
TV:NBC
by Bob, NFL Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: PIT +7/NE -7
Over/Under Total: 52.5
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It seems just like yesterday that Russell Wilson threw the interception from inside the five yardline that sent the Seahawks back home crying and the Patriots to yet another Super Bowl victory. Well, here we are, the beginning of the 2016 NFL season has finally arrived. The best part of the NFL is the fac that EVERY year, there seem to be a few surprises and a few let downs. The league has positioned themselves in such a way that each and every season the fans of every team have reason to be optimistic. Now, for many teams, that optimism may be dead by week four, but still, it makes for a fun offseason and early regular season. The first NBC prime time game of the year will feature two of the AFCs top teams over the last decade. The Pittsburgh Steelers will travel into Foxborough and take on the defending Super Bowl champion, New England Patriots.
The line opens with the Patriots favored at home by a touchdown, and the total points posted at 52.5 combined. Since 2000, the Super Bowl champs have covered the following seasons week one spread close to 65% of the time, however, the week two numbers are staggering…We will not get into that statistic, well not this week anyway. We have two teams here that are hoping to compete for the AFC crown and I see this being a great game well into the fourth quarter.
Well, Bradys back!! I had written this article about a week ago and Tom Brady was suspended and the line was only three points in favor of the Patriots. Now here we are. New Enlgand is -7 and the total points line even increased by 3.5 points from the last time I checked. Brady is a huge difference maker. One thing I have noticed over the years is when the media, the public, and everyone else around the NFL talk bad about New England, they come out with a chip on their shoulders. Look at just this past season. Newspapers around the nation were asking if Brady was about to be benched. Wondering if his time in New England was up and if the Patriots dynasty was done. Then came the Bengals game. Tom Brady shut up everyone by absolutely dominating the game and showing the nation that the Patriots were still alive. That game boosted New England on a run that led them to a Super Bowl title over the Seahawks. I see the Patriots again coming out angry and ready to stick to anyone and everyone who has labeled them cheaters all offseason. The key to this game is to just play their game. The absence of Vince Wilwork who is now with the Texans, will cause some minor issues on the New England defensive line, but I still like them to be able to make enough plays to get the victory and potentially the cover.
Remember the days of the Steelers defense being feared? Yea, I vaguely do too. Now days, wow, they are just plain bad. Did you see the preseason game against the Bills recently? Yea yea, I know, preseason, but come on, They did not look good at all! Pittsburgh is going to need a lot of scoring from Ben Roethlisberger and company in order to hang with New Englandor anyone this season for that matter. The X Factor for the Steelers offense in week one will be running back, DeAngelo Williams. With LeVeon Bell being suspended for two games, Williams will be getting a bulk of the carries. If he can contribute enough to make the Patriots defense respect him, this will open things up for Big Ben and the rest of the offense.
When I wrote on this game a week or so ago, I liked the Patriots to win, but not by much. I thought it would be a tough and hard fought 24-21, 23-20 type contest. Now that Tom Brady is back under center, I think this will get very interesting. I could be jumping the gun here, but I think New England sends a huge statement and gets a 34-23 type win over the Steelers.
Bobs Pick to Cover the Point Spread:Pick Tom Brady and the New England Patriots to cover the 7 points and for the game to go over the posted total of 52.5
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