The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to play the Denver Broncos on the road in Week 2, 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 2 game vs. the Broncos:

Jeff Hartman

X-Factor: Justin Fields

Why: Justin Fields has been given an unbelievable opportunity this entire offseason. After he was traded from the Chicago Bears to the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was given a new lease on life. But it wasn’t as if he walked into the team’s facility and was announced as the starter. No, he would have to bide his time behind Russell Wilson and wait for an opportunity. Not many saw that opportunity coming at the start of training camp when Wilson injured his calf and it resulted in Fields seeing the vast majority of first team reps throughout camp. Fields got plenty of playing time in the preseason, and a tweaked calf by Wilson resulted in him playing the entire Week 1 game vs. the Falcons. After the victory Fields will get another start in Denver, and an opportunity to prove he is the “hot hand” Mike Tomlin should be riding for the foreseeable future.

Outside of Fields’ good fortune, he will have to play a game which is more complete than what we saw in Week 1. He made enough plays to win, but can he start to make more of the routine plays which will show he is more than just a dynamic runner and an average passer? Those questions could be answered against a good Broncos defense. If Fields can take another step forward the Steelers will be more than pleased with what they have in the young quarterback.

Dave Schofield

X-Factor: T.J. Watt

Why: I’m going with the low-hanging fruit this time simply because it’s so important. T.J. Watt could be the choice on defense every week. But after the performance last week of ending the game with a sack, he’s going to continue to draw huge attention. For this reason, T.J. Watt is such a disrupter it’s not only about him being the one to make the plays, it’s about continually garnering more attention which should allow others to make plays. For example, if another eligible receiver has to stay in and offer pass protection to help with Watt, that’s one less player that has to be accounted for in coverage. So even if T.J. Watt does not have a huge stat line in Denver, as long as he is garnering the attention of multiple players it will change how the defense can operate. And the more problems Watt creates, the more attention he will get.

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 Broncos in Week 2.