Gillette Stadium – The NFL kicked off it 2015-16 season in prime time with the defending Super Bowl Champions New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The crowd at hand were full of energy being able to celebrate the new season and congratulate it’s Super Bowl winning team. Owner Robert Kraft came running onto the field holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy to roar of the crowd. Then a blast of fireworks to summons the reveal of their Championships banner hung in the raptures. Both Patriots quarterbacks lead the team out to the field with helmets off to show their faces.
After all the pre game hype was over the game was set to began between two of the NFL storied franchises. The Patriots took the victory today over the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers 28-21. Of course this game had to have some controversy involved in it, we are dealing with the Pats. You either love them or hat them, but in end they find away to win more often than some would want. Earlier in the game the Steelers coaches head seats where experience interference with Patriots broadcast playing in their ears. Before we blame the Pats, let’s look at the facts rain, weather play a part plus all communications for both teams are handled by the NFL. So blame Roger Goodell and crew but wait Roger didn’t show up to game due to not wanting to be a distraction. The fans knew it, late in the game you could the fans chanting, “Where is Roger, Where is Roger?”
With the pent up frustration almost behind him Tom Brady completed 78% of his passes for 288 yards and 4 touchdowns. Not a bad start after almost not being able to play for four games. Last year at this time we were wondering is this the Patriots. The unstoppable tight end Rob Gronkowski was the difference tonight and year ago. Gronk is healthy this year and torched the Steelers for 3 touchdowns that could have been four but was reversed by replay. It didn’t matter if there was a safety, linebacker, or double coverage Brady was going to find his guy. When time for a first down then there was Julian Edelman who finished the game with 11 catches that kept the chains moving.
Steelers fans won’t go run and hide because there were flashes of greatness, Big Ben Roethlisberger move ball down the field well most of the game. There were times when even his favorite target Antonio Brown was just not enough. Brown was being guarded by Malcolm Butler most of night but still was able to have 9 catches for 133 yards with a touchdown. The big surprise was running back DeAngelo Williams who was filling in due to a four game suspension to Le’Veon Bell. Williams showed off his quickness and power after trimming down 20 pounds for his new roll amassing 127 yards on 21 carries. He looked like a Pittsburgh Steelers running back, big , strong, hard nose, rumbling into the secondary inflecting pain.
This two teams will have few extras days before their next game but the game was all the NFL could ask for on display. The Steelers will work on their defense & kicking game to ensure better results this year. While the Patriots will have to make sure on defense they find away to turn the running backs back inside and not have such a loose edge contain. If both teams stay healthy we will see them in playoffs again maybe AFC championship game.
