Despite entering the year after a turbulent off season, the Pats’ offense got off top a terrific start behind their star quarterback Tom Brady, who completed 25 of 32 passes for 288 yards and four touchdowns, including three scoring strikes to All Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski.
The big news on the night was the play of the young offensive line as they gave their three-time Super Bowl MVP plenty of time in the pocket and provided good run blocking for Dion Lewis. Lewis finished Thursday nights game with 69 yards on just 15 carries, not too bad for a player that hasn’t taken a snap in the league for the past two years.
It wasn’t all good for New England as their defense allowed over 450 yards and their first touchdown in the fourth quarter since the midway mark of the 2014 NFL season. The defense lost four starters off last years squad, including both starting corners and it showed at times with the Steelers hitting plenty of big plays.
Ben Roethlisberger finished the game completing 26-38 throws for 351 yards and one touchdown, but the team failed to capitalize on several scoring opportunities, including two drives in the first half that ended on missed field goal attempts.
Brady and the league went to battle over the last few months on the quarterbacks involvement with deflated footballs during last years playoffs, but a court ruling allowed the 38-year-old to take the field. Commissioner Roger Goodell failed to make an appearance at the leagues opening game, but it failed to put a damper on the team or its fans on a rainy night in Foxborough.
