Patriots Gridiron News 10/20: Tom Brady Expecting a ‘Dog Fight’ with Steelers

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is expecting a tough game in Pittsburgh despite the Steelers playing without Ben Roethlisberger.

What was supposed to be the marquee match-up of Week 7 in the NFL will still be a tough game for the New England Patriots. With Ben Roethlisberger sidelined, there will still be a battle at Heinz Field says Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

"“They’ve been one of the best for a long time,” Brady said Wednesday. “The history of the Steeler organization with so many great players and teams and championships, you know you’re always going to get a dogfight when you play them.”"

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The Patriots are entering the game at 5-1 and Brady is playing on a high level since returning from a four-game suspension. The Steelers, however, still have the best running back and wide receiver duos in the game in Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown.

The defense will certainly have their hands full so there will be pressure on Brady and the offense to perform at a high level. The Patriots quarterback expects a physical game, especially from a team coming off a loss on the road to the Miami Dolphins. They will have something to prove as an organization with a lot of pride.

"“I have a lot of respect for them,” Brady added. “They play the game the right way. They’re always physical. They’re a tough, physical group and that’s pretty much what comes out of Pittsburgh. They play well, they’re coached well. They’re just a great organization.”"

The Patriots haven’t played at Heinz Field since 2011 when they lost to the Steelers 25-17. That was the year New England went 13-3 and lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI.

Stephen Gostkowski: The Patriots are not worried about their kicker Stephen Gostkowski. The usually reliable kicker has struggled so far this season. He only has a 75 percent field-goal success rate and has basically missed a kick in every game this season, including an extra point in Sunday’s 35-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Oct 2, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) sits along the sidelines during the second half of the Buffalo Bills 16-0 win over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Special teams captain Matthew Slater said on Wednesday that the veteran kicker will be just fine.

"“I don’t think really much needs to be said to Stephen,” Slater said. “He’s been doing this for a long time at a very high level. You play football for long enough, and there are going to be ups and downs. I know we’re accustomed to, around here just in general with the Patriots, there being a lot more ups than downs. But that’s part of football."

Wednesday workouts: The New England Patriots worked out two players on Wednesday. According to NESN.com, those players were wide receiver Dres Anderson and former New York Jets linebacker Trevor Reilly.

Anderson was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent in 2015 and released from the 49ers’ practice squad last week. His 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame is the kind of size the Patriots could use in the wide receivers corp.

Reilly, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Jets, was released by the team early last month with an injury settlement. Both players will be future practice squad candidates.

Next: New England Patriots Week 7 Mid-Week Injury Report

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