Five Key Match-ups to Watch: New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers
By Hal Bent
Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New England Patriots strong safety Malcolm Butler (21) warms up prior to a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh WR Antonio Brown vs New England LCB Malcolm Butler
On one hand the New England Patriots are catching the Pittsburgh Steelers; offense at the perfect time of the season. All Pro running back Le’Veon Bell is suspended the first two games of the season, big play wide receiver Martavis Bryant is suspended for the first four games of the season, and four time Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey is on injured reserve. On the other hand, the Steelers are dangerous just because they have the best all-around wide receiver in the NFL, Antonio Brown.
Brown may not get the headlines of media darling wide receivers such as Odell Beckham Jr., Calvin Johnson, or Dez Bryant, but he is the total package. He is highly intelligent, extremely athletic, deceptively quick, has soft hands, and can run any route while lined-up anywhere on the field. He has worked his way from a sixth round draft pick into a superstar through hard work and repetition after repetition with his quarterback. He is simply the most complete wide receiver in the NFL.
With Darrelle Revis seeking more money than New England was willing to pay him, Brandon Browner not a fit on defense without Revis opposite him, slot cornerback Kyle Arrington too inconsistent, and the team fed up with the inconsistent play and off-field headaches of Alfonzo Dennard, the Patriots were left with undrafted free agent Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler as their top cornerback.
Butler has impressed in the preseason, but covering Antonio Brown is a tough match-up for any NFL cornerback. The Patriots will make a point not to leave Butler in single coverage of Brown like they may have done with Revis last season. Butler will have safeties Devin McCourty and Duron Harmon (in sub-packages) behind him to help keep Brown from turning first downs into touchdowns.
If Butler can come out with the level of compete that he brought to Super Bowl 49 against the Seahawks the Patriots will be in good shape. Butler can match up physically and athletically with Brown, but the veteran wide receiver will have an advantage in experience. If Butler can keep Brown from taking over the game and limiting his big plays, it is a key match-up that can turn the tide for the New England defense.
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