Cardinals' X-Factors vs Steelers

The Arizona Cardinals will need these four players to step up against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Author:
Richie Bradshaw
Publish date:
Dec 2, 2023 4:12 PM EST

In this story:

The Arizona Cardinals visit the Steel City to take on Pittsburgh Steelers, and if they plan on winning this game, they better get ready for a slugfest against one of the nastier teams in the league.

It will be anything but easy, but we've seen the Cardinals pull off upsets before (i.e. the Dallas Cowboys in week three).

In order to beat Pittsburgh on the road, they'll need a lot of things to go their way, but most importantly, they will need their stars to step up their game. Heck, even role players will need to play well against a Steelers team that's thinking about the playoffs.

To secure the win, these four players will be the X-factors that decide the outcome:

Kyler Murray

Murray is an x-factor every week for the Cardinals if we're being honest. Between his dynamic rushing ability and his remarkable arm talent, the Cardinals more often than not only go as far as Murray can take them.

He'll be put up against a ridiculous test vs the Steelers tomorrow, who more often than not are an offense's worst nightmare. T.J. Watt alone makes them a nightmare to face, but the potential return of Minkah Fitzpatrick makes things even more difficult.

For the Cards to win, Murray will have to play well.

James Conner

Is this a revenge game for Conner? Probably not, but it feels safe to assume he has had this game circled on his calendar since the 2023 schedule came out. And honestly, Conner might be the most important player on either side of the football for this game.

Conner has been the biggest component for offensive success this year, averaging a whopping 5.1 yards per carry. Although he hasn't been the touchdown machine he's been in recent years, the offense simply runs through him (no pun intended) and is much better when he's on the field.

To have success against this Steelers defense, Conner will need to be excellent.

Paris Johnson Jr.

Johnson has had plenty of highs and lows this season, just as any rookie would. There's been no shortage of great players he's gone up against either, but tomorrow presents one of, if not the biggest challenges of his young career in T.J. Watt. Watt has 13.5 sacks on the season and Johnson will have to be on his A-game to try and slow him down.

Honestly, the best any team can do against Watt is contain him because stopping him feels impossible. The offensive line as a whole will have a long day vs Watt and company, but Johnson will need one of his best performances of his young career to keep this offense afloat.

B.J. Ojulari

Ojulari has come on hot as of late, but this week will be quite the challenge for him against the Steelers. Pittsburgh's offensive line has taken a step forward this year, allowing just 25 sacks on the year.

If the Cardinals plan on disrupting this offense, they'll need to find a way to pressure Kenny Pickett and Ojulari will be one of the key factors in that regard.

Pittsburgh's offense topped 400 yards last week and unless Ojulari and the pass rush can wreck havoc tomorrow, their going to be in for a long game against an offense with no shortage of weapons.