As we do every week to prepare you for the upcoming game, we give you our X factor of the week. Sometimes it’s a player, unit, concept, or scheme. Here’s our Pittsburgh Steelers X factor against the Indianapolis Colts.
STEELERS VS COLTS X FACTOR: QB AARON RODGERS
Aaron Rodgers has been everything the Steelers could have asked for and more. He has four touchdowns in two different games this year. He’s protecting the football and has had to carry the team at points despite being 41 years old.
With Rodgers playing this well, if the defense was able to meet its own preseason expectations, the Steelers would be in a much better place right now. They’re still 4-3, but the design of this team isn’t to win shootouts, which their last couple of games are starting to resemble. And unfortunately, that may be a situation they find themselves in again on Sunday.
Coming off two straight poor showings, the Steelers’ defense is now tasked with defending what’s on pace to be one of the best offensive units in the history of the league. The Colts arguably have two MVP candidates in Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor. That makes them impossible to defend, as teams can’t stack the box or drop too many into coverage.
The Steelers need to bounce back defensively. But even if they do, the offense is going to need to score some points. Fortunately, the Steelers are capable of doing so. We’ve seen the offense be dominant at times in recent games against Minnesota, Cleveland and Cincinnati, and it was operating well during the first half against Green Bay.
Aaron Rodgers acknowledged that the Steelers must be more consistent throughout their games, particularly when it comes to the second half. We’ve seen them start strong and lose their mojo against both Seattle and Green Bay. That can’t happen against the Colts this week, who are capable of lighting up the scoreboard.
There are reasons for encouragement this week, though. The Colts have allowed 2,016 yards through the air, the third-most in the league. They have been thrown on the most of any defense, but it’s still possible to beat them through the air. Their secondary will come into Sunday’s matchup a little beat up as well.
Calvin Austin III needs to be a bigger factor, but Roman Wilson’s breakout game was encouraging. If those two can make an impact, along with DK Metcalf, Aaron Rodgers has all the weapons he needs. Unfortunately, it may become a reality that the Steelers are going to have to win shootouts every week. It’s looking likely this week.
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