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5 Steelers X-Factors in week 1 against the New England Patriots

By Tommy Jaggi

PITTSBURGH, PA -DECEMBER 30: A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet on the field after the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 30, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA -DECEMBER 30: A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet on the field after the NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 30, 2018 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 22: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2017, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 22: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2017, in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Ben Roethlisberger

NFL teams live and die by their quarterbacks, and Ben Roethlisberger is no exception. In week 15 last season, the Steelers upset the Patriots, but it wasn’t necessarily because of Ben.

Pittsburgh’s defense was playing lights-out. They were able to keep New England’s offense in check to just 10 points. Meanwhile, Roethlisberger only 64.7 percent of his passes for 235 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. His 79.9 passer rating was the 3rd worst of any game he had last season.

Big Ben has a chance to redeem himself, but he will be without Antonio Brown at his disposal this year. The Patriots defense was fantastic down the stretch in 2018 and stands to be very good again this season.

Last year, Ben started the season with a 5 turnover game against the Cleveland Browns. He can ill afford to start so poorly against the defending Super Bowl Champions this year. Protecting the ball will be a key to the Steelers success against New England, and it starts with Ben Roethlisberger.

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