First Call: Steelers already underdogs in New England, Edelman's thumb, McSorley's arm

In “First Call” for Friday, is there an injury concern in New England? The Steelers start as underdogs. Robert Morris kicks off its 2019 football season. And the Ravens own the preseason.

Want the points?

The early lines are out for next week’s season-opening NFL games.

The Steelers are underdogs for their first game in Foxborough. The defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots are six-point favorites on banner-raising night.

The Steelers lost season-opening games at Gillette Stadium in 2015 (28-21) and 2002 (30-14).

The odds for the Black and Gold to win the Super Bowl according to Bovada are +1800. New England is the favorite at +700.

Keep an eye on this

The Steelers managed to get through the preseason relatively injury free. Sean Davis’ ankle is the only real question moving toward the season opener in New England.

Patriots star receiver Julian Edelman was playing in the final preseason game to get his first action. And he may have tweaked a thumb injury.

Julian Edelman lands on his same hand with the broken thumb and comes out of the game. Didn't return for the remainder of the drive & took the glove off. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/RvQxROVq7k

— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) August 29, 2019

Edelman didn’t return to the game. But he didn’t head to the locker room right away either. There were no quotes from Edelman or Bill Belichick on the topic after the game.

So keep an eye on injury reports coming from New England next week.

As for the other Patriots wide receivers, they were pretty good in the preseason finale loss to the Giants (31-29) on Thursday night. Demaryius Thomas had 87 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches. Josh Gordon had two catches for 30 yards.

Buffalo feeling Bullish

Robert Morris was the first local team to get the football season going. Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia all kick off Saturday.

And the Colonials had a tough task. They had to go on the road to play a MAC school — the University of Buffalo. The Bulls went 10-4 last year.

The first of many trips to the end zone for Jaret Patterson this year!#UBhornsUP pic.twitter.com/D5TOTgRvzJ

— UB Football (@UBFootball) August 29, 2019

The Colonials kept it close early, trailing 21-10 midway through the second quarter. But things got away in the second half as the Bulls won 38-10.

RMU gets Kentucky State at home next week. Buffalo goes to Penn State.

Tracking Trace

Speaking of Penn State, Nittany Lions alum Trace McSorley had solid night at quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens in their preseason finale.

Pretty. @McSorley_IX ➡️ @j__scott16 for a 24-yard TOUCHDOWN. pic.twitter.com/0meXJAHEFn

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 30, 2019

McSorley was 15 for 27 for 171 yards with that touchdown pass to Jaleel Scott.

The Ravens won 20-7, giving them an incredibly flukish fourth-straight perfect preseason. They were 4-0 this year and haven’t lost a preseason game since 2015.

How long was that?

Did you get a good look at the 59-yard field goal from Carolina Panthers kicker Joey Slye in their win over the Steelers last night?

Joey Slye would have made this from 70 yards @Panthers pic.twitter.com/lUfi4jxoe0

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) August 29, 2019

Wow. And he didn’t even need seven steps to run up to the ball.

But I know, I know. Carli Lloyd would’ve made it from the Panthers locker room. And she “deserves” a shot at the NFL.