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

By Tommy Jaggi | Sep 7, 2019

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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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 29: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks on the sideline during their preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 29, 2019, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

JuJu Smith-Schuster

It seems cliche to list JuJu as one of my X-Factors to the game, but it’s important to remember that we haven’t seen much of him as the number one role so far.

After Antonio Brown selfishly walked out on his team, JuJu was thrust into that role against the Bengals for the final game of the 2018 season. He struggled mightily as the number one receiver – catching just 5 of 10 targets for a mere 37 yards.

There are a lot of factors that played into this, and the entire team came out flat – not just Smith-Schuster.

JuJu will undoubtedly have his work cut out for him as he faces one of the leagues top secondaries. Stephon Gilmore was the best-rated cornerback in the league a season ago with a 90.9 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus. If he shadows JuJu around the field all game, it could be a long night for the 22-year old wideout.

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