The 2015 NFL season kicked off on Thursday as the New England Patriots hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers on a night where the Super Bowl XLIX champions unveiled their fourth championship banner. The Deflategate scandal brought a lot of negative energy to the Patriots, but after Tom Brady’s initial suspension was nullified, New England was ready to begin their title defense. Despite sustaining some solid drives, Pittsburgh was unable to capitalize with scores for much of the game. On the other hand, the Patriots’ offense was clicking on all cylinders as they defeated the Steelers by a score of 28-21.
Here are six takeaways from the game:
1. Rob Gronkowski is unguardable
The best tight end in football did not disappoint in the Patriots’ opener on Thursday night. The Steelers knew it would be a struggle covering Gronk with their inexperienced secondary, but no one expected for them to leave him wide open so often. In the second quarter, the big man was left wide open on the right sideline. Tom Brady recognized the Pittsburgh mishap and threw a dart to Gronk for his first touchdown of the game. Gronkowski went on to score two more touchdowns in the game, passing Dez Bryant for the most TD receptions since joining the league in 2010 (57).
2. The Steelers miss K Shaun Suisham
Longtime Pittsburgh kicker Shaun Suisham suffered a season-ending injury during the preseason, and the Steelers were forced to pick up Garrett Hartley. After Hartley suffered an injury, Pittsburgh made a quick trade for former Jacksonville kicked Josh Scobee. Scobee has plenty of experience but failed to impress in his Steeler debut. He missed his first two field goals from 44 and 46 yards, leaving Pittsburgh with a couple empty drives to start the game. Scobee did make a 44–yard field goal at the end of the first half, but 1-for-3 is not a good start to his 2015 season.
3. Tom Brady is not missing a beat
After all of the drama surrounding Brady’s offseason, he began the year with the bang on Thursday night. Brady went 25-for-32 for 288 yards and four touchdowns in his 2015 debut. He continued to hit his two favorite targets, Gronkowski and Julian Edelman.
4. Julian Edelman is a legitimate No. 1 receiver
Size and stature are no longer the determining factors of No. 1 wide receivers in the NFL. Edelman has been Brady’s top target for the last few seasons, but Branden LaFell was widely regarded at New England’s No. 1 guy for most of last season. After LaFell went down with an injury, Edelman was forced to step up. He did just that on Thursday, hauling in 11 receptions for 97 yards.
5. DeAngelo Williams can still ball
The 32-year-old running back is the second oldest active back in the NFL (Fred Jackson). With Le’Veon Bell out for Week 1 due to suspension, Williams was forced to carry the load in Pittsburgh. Many questioned his ability after being released by the Panthers after being there for his first nine seasons. Williams answered those questions with 127 yards on 21 carries on Thursday night.
6. Dion Lewis is the next unknown star in New England
LeGarette Blount was suspended for Week 1 as well. Oddly enough, it was for the same exact incident that Bell was involved in. Nevertheless, the Patriots needed to find a replacement for Blount against the Steelers. In steps Dion Lewis, a fourth-year man out of Pittsburgh who dealt with a number of injuries early in his career. No Shane Vereen. No Stevan Ridley. No problem. Lewis finished the game with 15 carries for 69 yards. He also added four receptions for 51 yards. I think it is safe to say that Lewis has found a spot in the New England lineup.
