Fansided

5 players the New England Patriots will miss during the NFL season opener

ByDani Bostick|
Dec 28, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (75) warms up before the start of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (75) warms up before the start of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots will be missing several key players going into tonight’s season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The New England Patriots face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Foxboro for the NFL season opener. While many key players are still with the team, the Patriots will be missing some familiar faces.

1) Nose tackle Vince Wilfork

The 325-pound, five-time Pro Bowler might be in his 12th NFL season, but he is still a huge impact player. Unfortunately for the Patriots, that impact will benefit the Houston Texans since they lost their hulking star in free agency. With 516 career tackles and 16 sacks, Wilfork is a difference maker both on and off the field.

The Patriots aren’t just missing out on his prodigious athleticism, vision, and consistency that helped stop the run, collapse pockets, and terrorize opposing offenses. They have lost a leader and mentor off the field as well.

In the season opener against the Steelers, the Patriots will need to hope that Sealver Siliga can fill part of the void Wilfork has left.

2) The secondary

So, the secondary isn’t one person, but the Patriots have lost several key players that will limit its effectiveness. Legendary cornerback Darrelle Revis has returned to the New York Jets, a division rival. His contributions to the Patriots secondary last year cannot be understated. The Patriots also lost cornerback Brandon Browner who is now with the New Orleans Saints. The combination of Browner and Revis made the Patriots one of the NFL’s top teams in second-half points allowed.

Without the same personnel, the Patriots can no longer support the scheme that helped them win the Super Bowl last season. They will likely revert to a soft zone coverage, which will be easier for the Steelers to pick apart.  The Steelers are also facing challenges in their secondary, which could make for a very high scoring game.

3) Running back LeGarrette Blount

Blount is serving a one-game suspension for a marijuana-related infraction last August when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Blount’s suspension is somewhat offset by the suspension of Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, his literal partner in crime last August. In his absence, the Patriot’s running back committee includes Brandon Bolden, Travaris Cadet, Dion Lewis, and James White.

It would have been interesting to watch Blount face off against the team he walked out on last season because he was dissatisfied with his lack of playing time.

4) Receiver Brandon LaFell

LaFell is sidelined with a foot injury until at least week 7. While quarterback Tom Brady has other targets, the absence of LaFell will certainly hurt the team. His consistency and ability to pick up yards after the catch made him Brady’s favorite target last year. In his absence, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, and Aaron Dobson will bear more of the load. None of those players can duplicate what LaFell brings to the field, and with Edelman’s recent injuries, his contributions could be limited. Tight ends Scott Chandler and Rob Gronkowski could also be a powerful threat, particularly if they are on the field at the same time.

The Steelers are also missing one of their best receivers in Martavis Bryant, out due to a marijuana-related suspension.

5) Center Bryan Stork

Bryan Stork is currently in the midst of the NFL concussion protocol and has been placed on IR.

This week undrafted rookie David Andrews and Ryan Wendell were taking most of the snaps. Unfortunately, Wendell was also injured for a good bit of the preseason due to offseason shoulder surgery.  The Patriots have cause to worry about the strength of their interior line.

Again, it seems the Patriots and Steelers are facing very similar situations. Center Maurkice Pouncey is on Injured Reserve/Designated-to-Return due to an broken leg he suffered during the preseason.

More from FanSided

Home/New England Patriots