The Patriots don’t get to play the first game of the season
Danny Etling Jerseys 2019 , as has become tradition. But they won’t have to wait long for their first prime time appearance.According to multiple reports, the
Patriots will host the Steelers in the NBC’s opener on Sept. 8. The full
schedule will be announced tonight at 8 p.m.The league is opening its 100th
season with its oldest rivalry — Packers-Bears — in the Thursday debut, so
putting the defending champions in the spotlight game of the week makes sense.It
should also provide a compelling look at two of the long-standing powers who
have undergone dramatic makeovers this offseason.Between the Steelers parting
ways with both Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell, and the Patriots losing Rob
Gronkowski to retirement, both teams have significant work to do to keep their
offenses performing at traditional levels.But they’re also two of the most
consistently successful teams in the league, who have stayed that way through
many such changes, making it an interesting way to kick off the season for NBC.
NOT THEM AGAIN!Sorry America — at least outside of New England — but the team
you love to hate is headed back to the Super Bowl.Sure, there are negatives to
point out with these Patriots. They haven’t looked much more than mediocre on
the road. Their defense is vulnerable, especially against dynamic passers, and
Kansas City certainly has one of those in Patrick Mahomes.New England’s coaching
staff tends to take away an opponent’s biggest threat. Who is that with the
Chiefs
White Derek Rivers Jerseys , though? Mahomes has Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Sammy Watkins as dangerous targets. He has a running game that hasn’t really
missed Kareem Hunt since he was released.Oh yeah, Tom Brady also is 41. At
times, he’s looked it this season.And there are so many positives to list,
especially when the Patriots (12-5) get this far. Such as being to eight Super
Bowls with Brady at quarterback, winning five. Such as their superb demolition
of the Chargers, an opponent many thought was the most balanced team in the
postseason; though the Chargers’ defense looked from the outset as if it wanted
no part of frigid Foxborough.Oh yeah, Brady is 41. He’s seen pretty much
everything, and will particularly like the looks of the spotty pass coverage
Kansas City (13-4) provides.The entire environment seems to work for New
England.“Yeah, I think this team thrives on it
Derek Rivers Jerseys 2019 ,” receiver Phillip Dorsett says. “Obviously, there’s no elephant in the room, we’re 3-5 on the road and everybody is going to
criticize us for that. We’ve got our backs against the wall and we’ve just got
to go out there and play our best game. That’s the only thing that really
matters.”It also matters that Chiefs coach Andy Reid rarely outsmarts the
Patriots. Indeed, Reid’s only Super Bowl trip was spoiled by New England when it
beat Reid’s Eagles for the 2004 title. Reid is 2-6 vs. the Patriots, and lost
43-40 on Oct. 14 at Gillette Stadium.The Chiefs are 3-point favorites, which
accounts for the home-field edge. Except in the upcoming arctic conditions, and
with the pedigree of the Patriots, this is a matchup Kansas City won’t win.UPSET
SPECIAL: PATRIOTS,27-23Los Angeles Rams (plus 3) at New Orleans SaintsA 45-35
shootout victory for Drew Brees and the Saints on Nov. 4 came in the Superdome.
These two have a return matchup Sunday to get to the Super Bowl, and with all
their firepower
White Deatrich Wise Jerseys , this one could come down to one factor: experience.That edge clearly falls to the hosts. New Orleans (14-3) has been a
postseason regular since coach Sean Payton and Brees hooked up in 2006. This is
the Saints’ third NFC championship appearance — a loss at Chicago in January
2007, an overtime win over Minnesota at home three years later. The Saints won
the Super Bowl that season, as well.Los Angeles (14-3) had the only unanimous
member of the All-Pro team, defensive tackle Aaron Donald. And the Saints lost
key DT Sheldon Rankins to a torn Achilles tendon last weekend. Still, this side
of the ball looks like a wash.The site of this game is more critical than in the
AFC. The way the Superdome rocks can be disruptive to opponents, and uplifting
to the homies. Just look at the Saints’ win against defending champion
Philadelphia last Sunday.So give us Brees’ calmness and creativity over Jared
Goff’s relative newness.BEST BET: SAINTS, 34-26
