Pittsburgh Steelers
Antonio Brown (Wide Receiver): Brown is in for a big game as he goes up against a decimated Patriots secondary. Brown will need to make a lot of big plays if the Steelers want to win this game and that should translate into a huge day from the field, Brown is a must start.
Ben Roethlisberger (Quarterback): Roethlisberger will be without his usual array of targets this week except for Antonio Brown. Big Ben will be missing Le'Veon Bell to keep defenses honest and Martavis Bryant one of his best red zone weapons. He may seem like a shaky start but the Patriots secondary has lost their top playmakers so he should be hitting Brown down the field all day. The Steelers will have to throw a lot because the Patriots front seven will stop the rushing attack, DeAngelo Williams will have a tough time against those guys.
Heath Miller (Tight End): Miller will likely get Bryant's targets in the red zone. Miller has always been Big Ben's default target when missing some key players and that shouldn't change going into week 1.
DeAngelo Williams (Running Back): Williams is not really a fantasy start considering we have no idea how he will perform. Plus Maurkice Pouncey is gone so there is absolutely no protection in the middle of that offensive line. Williams is a flex play at best.
Markus Wheaton (Wide Receiver): Wheaton will be playing second fiddle to Brown all night however this could potentially open up some holes down the middle of the field. If Brown gets triple teamed this should free up Wheaton to put up some points. Wheaton just is not as explosive as Brown and is a harder red zone target than the two men ahead of him Brown and Miller. Wheaton is a solid start against an awful secondary.
Pittsburgh Defense: The Steelers defense will struggle against Brady. Their secondary is atrocious which should push this game into high scoring territory however they do have some talented linebackers.
New England Patriots
Tom Brady (Quarterback): Brady has the potential to go off in his first game. The Steelers secondary is mediocre and that is great news for an angry and passionate Tom Brady. Brady's primary passing targets will be Gronkowski and Edelman which should have no problem getting open. Brady is a good start in week 1.
Rob Gronkowski (Tight End): Gronkowski will be the focal point of the Patriots offense, plus there is a good chance that if you have him you drafted him so high you cannot afford not to start him. He gets a green light against this Steelers secondary.
Brandon Bolden/James White (Running Back): Bolden and White should take over since LeGarrette Blount is suspended for the opening game. Bolden should have early down duties however White should be on the field for the passing downs. Both players are not great starts to open the season.
Julian Edelman (Wide Receiver): Edelman should be the first wide receiver targeted in this offense so he is poised to have a big game. Edelman will need a big play to get into the end zone because the closer the Patriots get to the red zone the more Brady will look at Gronkowski. Edelman is a solid start in week 1.
New England Defense: The defensive line is only going to get better however their back end will suffer all season long. The Steelers are going to score on the Patriots a lot unless the defensive line can take down Big Ben quickly and effectively.
