OK, the NFL season opens tonight with a big one: Patriots hosting Steelers.
In: Tom Brady
Out: Key Pittsburgh offensive stars RB Le’Veon Bell and WR Martavis Bryant … and Pats’ would-have-been QB Jimmy Garoppolo.
The line in this one jumped to New England being a full touchdown favorite after last week’s Brady court ruling, and that seems about right.
The Steelers are missing weapons and Bill Belichick and Brady will likely be looking to run it up any chance they get. Ben Roethlisberger is one of my favorite players (always hurt, standing like a statue in the pocket, fighting off defenders with his left arm while whipping passes around the yard with his right), but this is just too tough a task.
The pick: Patriots 35, Steelers 20.
