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NFL Week 1: Trends which will decide each game

By Russell S. Baxter

TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 02: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers handles the ball during training camp at AdventHealth Training Center on September 02, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 02: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers handles the ball during training camp at AdventHealth Training Center on September 02, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 03: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants runs the ball during the Blue and White scrimmage at MetLife Stadium on September 03, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 03: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants runs the ball during the Blue and White scrimmage at MetLife Stadium on September 03, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Monday, Sept. 14

Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants, 7:15 pm

Steelers: Mike Tomlin’s team has had a habit of playing down to its competition in recent years, most notably on the road. The club has also struggled with offensive balance the last season and a half and play-calling certainly has been questionable. So it’s not a matter of whether the Steelers can exploit the league’s 20th-ranked rushing defense from a year ago or whether they will choose to.

The running back depth chart includes James Conner, Benny Snell Jr. and rookie breakaway threat Anthony MacFarland. Pittsburgh finished a shocking 31st in the league in rushing in 2018 and a year ago, only three teams in the league gained fewer yards on the ground.

Giants: Former New England Patriots’ assistant Joe Judge is the team’s fourth different head coach since 2016. And if the Giants’ are to get back in the playoff picture the defense must reverse its recent fortunes.

The Steelers’ attack, with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back at the helm, presents a huge challenge for a club that has allowed at least 42 offensive touchdowns in each of the past three seasons. Big Blue has surrendered 388, 412 and 451 points, respectively, each of the past three seasons. General manager Dave Gettleman recently added cornerback Logan Ryan (via NorthJersey.com’s Art Stapleton) to a unit that allowed 30 TD passes a year ago.

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