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The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7-1) have had an up-and-down 2021 NFL season that many have seen as completely unpredictable. The Steelers have beaten the 10-5 Tennessee Titans and the 9-6 Buffalo Bills, but they lost to the 7-8 Minnesota Vikings and tied the pathetic Detroit Lions who have gone just 2-12-1 this season and were winless when they played Pittsburgh. It has just been one rollercoaster after another, all season long.
While that crazy season may seem completely impossible to choose a winner and loser from each game, we did find one stat that shows whether the Steelers will sink or swim. That stat you ask? Well, it was sitting right under your noses the whole time. A football team–and an offense especially–runs through the quarterback. That has been true for the Steelers in 2021 in an insane way.
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Steelers X-Factor for Week 17
When Roethlisberger does not throw an interception, the Steelers are 7-0. When he throws one, however, the team had gone 0-7-1…It usually isn't that simple, but for the Steelers, in 2021, it has been. Turnovers are absolute game killers, especially if you are already trailing in the game. Roethlisberger has hurt his team too many times by doing just that. In what is likely to be the final home game of his storied NFL career, expect Ben to come out with laser focus and eliminate the mistakes.
With Ben Roethlisberger confirming this season is likely his last, he will have played 18 seasons, all with the Steelers.
That's the longest tenure for any QB in NFL history to play with just one team.
A Steeler from start-to-finish.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 30, 2021
If that focus leads to a game with no interceptions–then the math says the Steelers will win the game and keep their slim playoff hopes alive. The Steelers have been struggling coming into this one, going just 2-4-1 in their last seven games, but they did get a big win over a Titans team that is at the top of the AFC at the moment.
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That game was the blueprint for how the Steelers should attack this upcoming Week 17 game. In that one, the Steelers ran the ball 35 times and passed only 20. If Ben can contain himself from passing the ball too many times, the running game will open up lanes for his receivers. So, why is Big Ben the X-Factor if the plan is to limit his passes? Well, that answer lies within Roethlisberger's ability to change plays at the line of scrimmage. It is going to be huge for him to recognize the defense pre-snap because Tennessee has one of the best pass-rushing units in the NFL.
As mentioned before, if Ben can limit his throws and get his stud running back Najee Harris the ball early and often, that will give him the shots over the middle and down the field to wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. It also opens things up for tight end Pat Freiermuth in the red z0ne if the Titans key in on Najee if/when Pittsburgh gets inside the 20. Freiermuth is coming back after missing the Steelers' last game due to his second concussion in a month.
Pat Freiermuth says he’s back via IG pic.twitter.com/2qmJZAKqZQ
— Michael Beck (@MichaelBeck56) December 28, 2021
If the Steelers can beat the Browns on Monday Night Football they will head into a Week 18 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens that will be another must-win game for Pittsburgh. The Steelers also need some help to make the playoffs, as well.
Along with winning their last two games, Pittsburgh must see the Miami Dolphins lose one of their final two games AND have both the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders split their final two games. Good luck with all of that, Pittsburgh.
