The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to be without two of their biggest playmakers as the team faces the New England Patriots on Thursday night. Due to suspensions, both Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant will not be on the field. That means the Steelers' leading running back and second receiver are missing in action, making Antonio Brown that much more critical to the team. According to the wide receiver, he plans on rewarding fantasy owners in the first game of the year.
According to ESPN NFL Nation, Browns got 181 targets last season while averaging 11.3 per game. That number should skyrocket on Thursday night with Bell and Bryant out of the mix. The other factor to think about is the weakened secondary of the New England Patriots. With Darrelle Revis out, Malcolm Butler is the main man who will be placed on Brown. Butler was a breakout star last year thanks to the Super Bowl, but it is unknown if he can carry that momentum when facing one of the top receivers in the NFL. Brown is not ready to down play the talent the Patriots have on defense.
"I think it'll be a great test," Brown said, via the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. "Something that we look forward to, something that we're ready for, something that we're working towards now and getting ourselves ready."
According to Roethlisberger, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Markus Wheaton are two other players expected to play big roles on Monday night. The Steelers have a lot of faith that Wheaton is looking to breakout in a big way in his third year with the team. He had a solid preseason and with Bryant out, the No.2 slot is wide open. The same can be said for Heyward-Bey who has the confidence of his quarterback.
"I'm ready," Heyward-Bey said, via the team website. "I work hard each and every week. My confidence is high and I'm just going to go out there and play football."
In place of Bell, DeAngelo Williams will return to being a starting running back. Bell is only out one game this season, so fantasy owners would be wise not to invest heavily in Williams. However, he will be a solid pickup for Week 1 play considering he is the only other ready talent the Steelers have on the roster to replace the versatile Bell who will be a solid threat upon his return.
