Antonio Brown confident chemistry with Landry Jones will improve

While Antonio Brown is arguably the NFL's best wide receiver, there's no disputing his numbers take a hit when someone other than Ben Roethlisberger is throwing him the ball.

That will be the case Sunday, when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the New England Patriots with Landry Jones set to start in relief of the injured Roethlisberger.

In three games without Roethlisberger in 2015, Brown produced 14 catches for 190 yards and no touchdowns when Jones or Mike Vick played quarterback. Part of the issue was a clear lack of chemistry with Jones, but Brown believes his timing with the young passer will be improved.

"Obviously, it's frustrating not to have Ben out there, but you have to be positive and poised," Brown said, according to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We have to build Landry up. We can't be getting in his ear every play and saying 'I'm open.' Obviously, I know I'm going to draw a lot of double teams and a lot of different matchups. We have to keep him poised, create separation for him, make plays for him and keep him positive all game."

Roethlisberger is expected to miss four-to-six weeks after surgery to repair a torn meniscus, meaning the Steelers' playoff hopes could ride on Jones and Brown getting on the same page.

"I've been working with Landry a lot," Brown said. "Every pregame we throw routes together, communicate a lot in the film room. We're just excited to have the opportunity to go out and play together this weekend."