Thursday Night Audibles will be season long weekly series that helps you fill those last-minute roster holes
So you’re having a hard time trying to figure out where points are going to come from before the Steelers and Patriots kickoff? Well I can help you with that.
Tonight’s match-up kicks off the season and key pieces from both sides will not be on the field. Who will benefit in their absence and help you strike first? This week it’s all about the forgotten one’s.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
Markus Wheaton, WR
The Patriots come in without Brandon Browner or Darrelle Revis in their secondary. I don’t care how many scoffs and “we’re sticking to our game plan” Belichick tries to sell me, their focus will be on Antonio Brown in the passing game. Without Martivis Bryant and Le’Veon Bell, that gives Wheaton a lot of opportunity to do some damage.
Heath Miller, TE
It’s noteworthy that coming into this game the Patriots weren’t great against tight ends last season. I say that because one of the more consistent players at the position the last seven years, Heath Miller, will look to make things difficult tonight for the defending champs. My guess is with the Steelers’ run game missing its superstar and Antonio Brown being Antonio Brown, Miller should have a lot of room to work with.
New England Patriots
Brandon Bolden, RB
Remember him? The guy everyone rushed towards before LaGarrette Blount re-signed with the Patriots? Yeah he’s still there, and all indication is that with the release of Jonas Gray he should get a lot of early down work. If he gets rolling early he could be the beneficiary of the bulk of the week one touches at running back. If you’re scarce at running back I would roll the dice on him.
Danny Amendola, WR
Brandon LaFell will miss about eight weeks due to injury, and Tom Brady will need to rely on more than Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman in the passing game.
Danny Amendola might be your new best friend.
I would not blame you if you forgot his name and vowed never to give him another thought. However, if you’re in a pinch and looking to steal some points at a thin position on your team then say it with me: AM-MEN-DOLE-uh
