The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to play the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11 of the 2025 regular season, 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 Week 11 vs. the Bengals:
Jeff Hartman
X-Factor: Jaylen Warren
Why: The Bengals defense is so statistically bad I could have gone in a bunch of directions with this week’s X-Factor. I could have gone with the offensive line, Aaron Rodgers, or any of the pass catchers the team has at their disposal. However, I’m going to go with Jaylen Warren. In Week 7 Warren had his best game of the season. In that game he ripped off 127 yards on just 16 carries, an insane 7.9 yard average. The Bengals run defense hasn’t gotten any better since that Thursday night game, and they remain the league’s worst run defense, surrendering 166.4 yards per game. There are times when a good running game can be the best defense in a football game, and it’s time the Steelers give Warren a full workload. Time to run it right down their throats, and I think Warren could be in for a very big game, if the game plan is a good one.
Dave Schofield
X-Factor: Joey Porter Jr.
Why: This game is about the Steelers scoring points on a bad Bengals defense, and scoring more points than Cincinnati’s dynamic receivers can put on the board. For the Steelers to slow them down, their best cornerback has to get the job done against one of them. Porter will need to take away one option while also not getting flagged too often as he has been know to do against the Bengals (although he only has two accepted penalties this season on six total calls). It starts with Porter, then the rest of the defense has an easier job.
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 Bengals in the Week 11.
