Steelers-Patriots NFL Week 1: What You Need To Know

PITTSBURGH, PA - There's no pressure on the Steelers on Sunday. They just happen to open the 2019 NFL season on the road in New England against the defending Super Bowl champions led by Tom Brady, who (it pains Patch to admit) is only the greatest quarterback in NFL history.

They do so with a new-look offense that lacks Antonio Brown, the great wide receiver and even greater headache who is now the Oakland Raiders problem, and Le'Veon Bell, who signed with the New York Jets after his season-long holdout last year.

After missing the playoffs in 2018 for the first time in five years, the Steelers hope to rebound in the challenging AFC North, where the Baltimore Ravens most always are competitive and a the much improved Cleveland Browns figure to contend for their first playoff berth in centuries.

Can the Steelers rebound? That question will be answered over the next four months and 16 regular season games. Here's what you need to know about the first:

• Where: Gillette Stadium
• When: Sunday, 8:20 p.m.
• Forecast: Partly cloudy, temperatures in the mid 60s.
• Favored Patriots by 5.5, according to oddsshark.com.
• Last meeting: Dec. 18, 2018, Steelers won 17-10.
• All-time series: Tied at 16.
• Streak: Steelers won the last meeting.
• TV:NBC with Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya.
• Radio: WDVE-FM with Bill Hillgrove and Tunch Ilkin.