This week on The Gridiron and Beyond, the voice of the New England Patriots, Bob Socci sits down with Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) of the NFL Network for a preview of the New England Patriots' season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night.

+ Addition by subtraction?  Following a drama-free filled 2018 featuring a late-season collapse, a healthy Steelers team devoid of distractions opens the new season focused on a return to the playoffs... 

+ Ben Roethlisberger isn't so big anymore, thanks to an emphasis on offseason conditioning; nor is he weighed down by the need to force-feed his once-favorite target now playing in Oakland...

+ Pittsburgh expects the money and draft capital it invested on defense to yield a big return in what could be a crossroads season for longtime head coach Mike Tomlin...

+ While trying to kick her way onto a future NFL roster would be a longshot for soccer star Cari Lloyd; it wouldn't necessarily be out of her range...  

+ How Devin McCourty gained an edge while watching twin brother Jason and awaiting his own turn at Rutgers.