NFL: Week 1

[Mirage]

Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots – 1pt Patriots -7 @ 20/21 with Ladbrokes Here we go again. The reigning champions host the Steelers in the first game of the regular season and what a mouth-watering prospect we could have had. The Steelers come in to this match without key players, namely Le’Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant and MaurkicePouncey. For those unaware, all three of these guys are big players on offense for the Steelers. Bell is one of the best RBs in the league who would be missed by any side whilst Martavis Bryant is a frequently-used WR. Pouncey started every game last year and we always hear about how hard it is to replace a centre because the position does require a high level of understanding with the QB. Antonio Brown would have come in to this game with big expectations on his shoulders anyway but without Bell and Bryant the pressure has just gone up a notch. He’ll probably be the only man the Steelers can ask to come up with big plays when needed and for anyone that is a tough situation to be in.It’s hard to predict how the Steelers will do on the road this season because most of the venues they visited last season were occupied by very average sides (at best). The Patriots aren’t without problems either. Vince Wilfork has left the building and replacing a leader like that who has performed at the top level for so long will be tough. In Revisthey’ve lost a big-time performer and they now look light at cornerback but, with no Bell or Bryant to deal with, they should get by in this game. The Patriots have also parted ways with a couple of players who had the potential to have big games in their bit-part roles. The over-reliance on Gronk does concern me but that is more a concern for over the course of a season rather than in each game. Despite all of this, the fact remains that the Patriots are a formidable force at home. After the off-season they had they’ll want to come out with a bang and I fully expect them to do so. This bet is more about who the Steelers have left at home, hopefully the Patriots will take full advantage.

[Mirage]

Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets – 1pt Jets -4.5 @ 11/10 with Bet365 The Jets come in to this game after an up and down off-season. Getting the likes of Revis, Cromartie and Marshall in has given the franchise a much needed boost whilst seeing Williams fall so far down the draft was a nice little bonus. Williams will have a big role to play this Sunday thanks to some idiotic decision-making by Sheldon Richardson. Williams is in a nice position here as he’s slotting in to a defense that has proven performers in every position. Yes, the pressure will be on because of his reputation but he won’t be required to be the star straight away. He’s got time to bed in. Joining Richardson on the sidelines for the season-opener is QB Geno Smith, again thanks to some idiotic-decision making. Smith will be replaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick, a man who is known for taking chances – a ‘gunslinger’ if you like. In Decker and Marshall the former Texan has a couple of quality targets to hit. He should have no worries about going for the big plays knowing how good the Jets’ O-line and defense are/should be. The Browns come in to this game with Josh McCown as their starting QB, no quality RB and a couple of average WRs. I just can’t see how they’ll be able to create scoreboard pressure. Even if McCown has a good day behind an O-line that is able to stand its ground, he still has to get passes past the formidable pairing of Revis and Cromartie. The Jets’ defense should dominate here so McCown is likely to face pressure on a regular basis and, without a running game to turn to, things could turn messy. Whilst the Jets look like a side who are a QB away from making a run for the play-offs, the Browns are missing a lot of pieces. The lack of scoring options for the men from Cleveland should cost them in New Jersey.