The New England Patriots aren’t accustomed to seeing a Pittsburgh Steelers team without Antonio Brown. For the past eight years, he has been a focal-point for New England’s defense, with the team often dedicating its top cornerback to Brown, along with help from a safety.

But Brown is a Raider after forcing his way off the Steelers in a trade. When the Patriots and Steelers play on Sunday night in Week 1, JuJu Smith-Schuster is will be the team’s top wideout after recording 111 receptions for 1,426 yards and seven touchdown.

Is he ready to get treated as such?

“We’ll see. I don’t know,” Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore told Patriots Wire on Monday. “You’ve got to prove yourself every year. Everybody has to. That’s the fun part about this game. You’ve got to do it. That’s a we’ll-see thing. Everybody has to prove themself.”

Gilmore will be out to prove that he’s still one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Whether it was Pro Football Focus, NFL Network or Touchdown Wire, Gilmore appeared atop countless rankings as the premier shutdown corner after an excellent 2018 season, which included an interception in the Patriots’ winning effort in Super Bowl LIII. He should be the perfect test for Smith-Schuster, who can show he is capable of stepping into the top receiver role in the offense.

“He can make big catches. He’s getting better and you can see that on film,” Gilmore said of Smith-Schuster. “He’s a great player. He’s earned everything he has. I’m just looking forward to playing my technique as best I can. If it’s on him, if it’s on (Donte) Moncrief, if it’s on (James) Washington, I’m just trying to win that snap.”

Smith-Schuster isn’t the Steelers only offensive weapon who needs to step up in Brown’s absence. Along with Moncrief and Washington, the Patriots secondary will keep an eye one receivers Diontae Johnson and Ryan Switzer, tight end Vance McDonald and running backs James Conner and Jaylen Samuels.

“Washington had a pretty good game on us last year,” Duron Harmon said in the Patriots locker room. “He had the deep ball (for 32 yards), and we know what he brings to the table. He might not have much film, but we know he’s a good player, and he’s a guy they’ve been speaking highly of.”

Brown’s absence will inevitably shift the dynamics in Pittsburgh. Smith-Schuster — among others — will get more attention on defense. His ability to perform well, despite the new challenges, could play a large role in determining the outcome of the game on Sunday night.