The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to play the Cleveland Browns at home in Week 12, 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 12 game vs. the Browns:

Jeff Hartman

X-Factor: Red-Zone Offense

Why: Am I skirting the rules here with the X-Factor article by using an area of the offense instead of a player? Yes, I am. Do I care at this juncture of the season? No, I don’t. For me, this game will be defined by the team who can score touchdowns, and not rely on a kicker to have to split the uprights in what could be defined as nasty conditions.

To add to this, the Steelers red-zone offense has been putrid in the past four games. I’m focusing on the last four games based on the fact those are the games the Steelers have had Russell Wilson at quarterback. In the past four games there have been two times the Steelers have failed in every one of their red-zone attempts. 0-4 vs. the New York Giants on MNF, and 0-4 vs. the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. In the last three weeks, which throws out the Steelers goose egg vs. the Giants, their red-zone conversion to touchdown percentage is 25%. For the season, and this includes the six games quarterbacked by Justin Fields, that percentage is 44.4%, and that ranks 30th in the league.

If the Steelers are going to escape Cleveland with a win, they need to improve in the red-zone. And I don’t care how it happens. Russell Wilson passes, Justin Fields runs, Najee Harris carries…as Mike Tomlin once said, “We don’t care.” Time to see Chris Boswell just kick extra points, and not six field goals.

Dave Schofield

X-Factor: T.J. Watt

Why: He’s been a Cleveland Browns wrecker over his career. This is all that really needs said. If T.J. Watt goes off, there is not a lot of hope for the Browns in this game. He is the one player that could drive this team to victory on the defensive side of the ball more than anybody else, so the honor of being the X-factor is all his.

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 Browns in Week 12.