The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to play the Philadelphia Eagles on the road in Week 15, 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 15 game vs. the Eagles:

Jeff Hartman

X-Factor: Russell Wilson

Why: Usually when I dive into the offense, I think of a position group who must win their matchups to help the Steelers claim victory. But this week I’m putting this on the veteran on the offensive side of the ball. The man who has a Super Bowl victory to his name. The man who will be tasked with elevating everyone else around him without George Pickens for the second straight week. Some might say the offensive line is the X-Factor for the Steelers offense, but I don’t expect such a young line to be able to dominate this matchup. I expect them to hold their own, and hopefully Wilson can manipulate the pocket and find open receivers down field. I think the Steelers will run the ball, but this game will come down to if Wilson can put together one of the best road wins of his career. Let’s see if he’s up to the task…

Dave Schofield

X-Factor: The Defensive Line

Why: It would be easy to go the route of Elandon Roberts trying to slow down Sequan Barkley, but the Steelers stifled Barkley to only 6 yards on 15 carries the only time they have faced him. So is it really about Barkley, or is it the fact he’s running behind the best offensive line in the NFL? For me, that matchup in the trenches between the Steelers run-stuffing defense vs. the Eagles’ big guys will likely determine the outcome of this game. So, if the words of Ric Flair, the Steelers defensive line needs to come into this game thinking, “To be the man, you’ve got to beat the man…”

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 Eagles in Week 15.