The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to play the Cincinnati Bengals on the road in Week 13, and there are certain aspects of the game which can be difficult to predict. Of course, the outcome of the game is paramount, but there are players or position groups who could be viewed as X-Factors.

What is an X-Factor? That definition is an important part of this exercise. If I were to give you a player who was the ultimate X-Factor in Steelers history, it would be Troy Polamalu. Polamalu was able to take over a game almost single-handedly. Whether it being a tackle made where he looked like a heat-seeking missile, or a clutch interception. A game could tilt the Steelers’ way because of Troy. With the definition out of the way, let’s see who are the X-Factors for the Steelers in the Week 13 game vs. the Bengals:

Jeff Hartman

X-Factor: Russell Wilson

Why: If there is a player who needs a solid performance and a win, it’s Russell Wilson. Wilson started off the season strong with a 4-0 start, but the red-zone woes and lack of production have been glaring the past few weeks. Fans are starting to get restless with the quarterback, and he needs to have a big game against a sub-par Bengals defense to silence those critics. Even if Wilson doesn’t have huge numbers, orchestrating touchdowns in the red-zone will be what endears himself to the Steelers faithful for the duration of the Steelers fan base. Can he get the job done? There’s a reason he is the X-Factor in Week 13 vs. the Bengals.

Dave Schofield

X-Factor: The Trenches

Why: It isn’t cheating when I say the trenches. The Steelers need to have a much-improved performance on both the offensive and defensive lines if they want to claim their 9th win of the season. Zach Frazier and company didn’t have a good outing on the road in Week 12, and that will have to change vs. a Bengals defense which doesn’t do anything particularly well. On defense, Cam Heyward and others will have to dominate their one-on-one matchups to harass Joe Burrow and stop the run. It would be nice to see T.J. Watt finally break through and the defense finding ways to free him up to make the plays we are accustomed to seeing him make. Win the trenches, win the game.

Who is your X-Factor for the game? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Bengals in Week 13.