Two of the most veteran quarterbacks in the league will face off in Week 1 when the Pittsburgh Steelers head to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots. The last time Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady faced each other was in November 2013, when the Patriots walked away with a 55-31 win.
Steelers vs. Patriots 2015 live stream: How to watch Thursday night football online
The Patriots have their fearless leader to start the regular season, while the Steelers are looking to fill several holes on defense.
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Both teams faced tumultuous offseasons, with the Patriots dealing with DeflateGate and the Steelers losing players to retirement and injuries. As the regular season gets going, both organizations are looking for some calm consistency on the field, and it all starts with their reliable quarterbacks.
Brady will officially be under center at the start of the season and the Patriots return several offensive weapons. Wideouts Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman lead the receiving corps and Rob Gronkowski stars at tight end, rounding out a solid offense for the 2015 season. An attempt to add Colts legend Reggie Wayne didn't work out, but passing shouldn't be a problem for New England.
Running the ball, on the other hand, might be an issue. LeGarrette Blount is suspended for the Steelers game due to a positive drug test, leaving Brandon Bolden and Dion Lewis to carry the load.
This tough offense will face a Steelers defense that looks much different than it did last year, with the retirements of three defensive backs -- Ike Taylor, Ryan Clark and future Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu, plus talented young linebacker Jason Worilds. The Steelers have also changed defensive coordinators, as Dick LeBeau is now with the Tennessee Titans and Keith Butler is stepping into his role. Instead of LeBeau's legendary zone blitz, Butler's scheme is a simpler mass attack of the quarterback.
Defensive end Cameron Heyward should prosper with the scheme changes after totaling 7.5 sacks last season, tying for the team lead. The team also has Joe Okafor -- following the season-ending injury of Clifton Geathers -- joining Heyward, Stephon Tuitt and veteran backup Cam Thomas on the depth chart. In addition to changes on the line, the secondary has seen an upheaval this offseason with the addition of Brandon Boykin.
Pittsburgh also has question marks over its running game. Le’Veon Bell is suspended for the first two games of the year for his role in the same incident that has Blount sitting out. DeAngelo Williams has joined the Steelers and will start while Bell is on the bench, but he’s not the kind of game-changing threat that Bell has become in his first two seasons.
That will put more pressure on Roethlisberger, but he’s lost center Maurkice Pouncey to a broken leg and wide receiver Martavis Bryant to a four-game substance-abuse ban.
Both the Steelers and Patriots are hoping to come out with a win to start the 2015 season, but regardless of the outcome, they are each primed for postseason runs if their players can stay healthy.
How to watch online
When: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
TV: NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra
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