Beginning the season in New England doesn’t sound like the best or easiest way to start the 2019 campaign. The Pittsburgh Steelers have an awful track record against the New England Patriots on the road. The last time Pittsburgh got the best of the Pats in New England, Matt Cassel was behind center. That was 2008, and Pittsburgh still hasn’t beat Tom Brady in New England. That proverbial chip is still on the Steelers shoulders heading into 2019. However, knocking off the Patriots in Week one could kickstart the season for Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 opener has the potential to be a tone setter for their season.
Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 Opener Has Potential to Be Tone Setter for Season
Beating the Patriots Is Difficult, but Possible
A lot of people forget that Pittsburgh actually beat Tom Brady and the Pats last season. At the time, it felt like a sweet sigh of relief. However, that win got clouded by other events that followed, but regardless, that was a big win. That game showed Pittsburgh could finally hang with the Patriots in a meaningful game. Still though, that was at Heinz Field. Defeating Bill Belichick and company at home is one thing, but beating them in Foxborough is something else entirely.
The AFC in 2019
That is why this Week one matchup is so important for Pittsburgh. No one knows what the AFC is this year. Without Andrew Luck, the Indianapolis Colts are pretty much off the list of Super Bowl contenders. While the Colts can still be a good team, teams that lose a quarterback the caliber of Luck don’t often still wind up winning championships. The Los Angeles Chargers are a very good and deep team. However, they are still unproven. The same could be said about the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans and, of course, the Cleveland Browns. A win in New England creates the possibility for Pittsburgh to be considered a contender.
Steelers Must Be Competitive Week One
It is absolutely possible this team can make a deep postseason run this season. But the mental block of possibly having to go to New England in the playoffs can make some fans pump the breaks. But the Steelers being really competitive Week one, if not outright winning, will go a long way towards instilling belief the team could beat the Patriots on the road in the playoffs.
Not only does a competitive effort boost confidence overall, but it could not come at a better time. To start the season with that type of mindset could influence the outlook on the rest of the season. Pittsburgh needs to play like a championship team in big games to have any shot at a Super Bowl this season. That is a lot easier when a team has no fear. And as of now, the Steelers have to fear the Patriots in New England. If that fear is eliminated the rest of the season is there for the taking.
Last Word
The outcome of Sunday’s matchup will largely come down to the play of Ben Roethlisberger. This summer, Big Ben was rated by Pro Football Focus as the most successful player against the Pats since 2006. That ranking is obviously based on personal statistics and not record, but still. Roethlisberger is effective against New England, and it’s about time those personal statistics translate to a win in Foxborough over Brady and company.
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