As we do each week to get you prepared for the upcoming recreation, our X-factor of the week. Generally, it’s a participant, unit, idea, or scheme. Right here’s our X-factor for Sunday’s regular-season opener towards the Denver Broncos.
X-FACTOR: LG Spencer Anderson
Anderson will make his second profession begin whereas Isaac Seumalo stays on the mend along with his pectoral harm. He had a rocky debut, having some hassle with the powerful Atlanta Falcons’ inside defensive position.
The Broncos’ d-line may not be fairly as powerful, however they’ve a stud in DE Zach Allen, who netted a big-time take care of Denver previous to the 2023 season. In 17 begins final season, Allen made 60 tackles and notched 5 sacks. Within the 2024 opener, he impressed and impacted the sport with a sort out for loss/security, certainly one of two Denver registered to maintain the sport tight towards the Seattle Seahawks.
Don’t anticipate that man to return off the sphere, both. Final 12 months, Allen performed 81 p.c of the Broncos’ defensive snaps. And final Sunday? He performed 97 p.c, 65 snaps. Denver is getting its cash’s value out of this man. He does play up and down the road, seeing 20 snaps at left finish final week, that means Anderson gained’t see Allen each snap. Nonetheless, that matchup might be frequent and one he must win.
After primarily operating zone schemes final week, Pittsburgh might lean on hole/energy runs towards Denver. Seattle’s finest success on the bottom got here within the third quarter on hole runs with a bottom puller, one “lengthy” and conventional pull with the guard climbing upfield and a brief pull with the guard ear-holing the three-tech.
Pittsburgh might comply with go well with. Not that it will be the solely idea they’ll run, but it surely might be used extra typically. Whereas the Steelers can pull from both facet, like most groups, they’re a right-handed operating membership. That means, the left guard will pull extra typically than the precise.
Anderson isn’t referred to as an ideal puller, however with good approach, he can definitely get the job accomplished. And that might be the distinction between an enormous achieve and a run stuff. Anderson doesn’t must be excellent however he needs to be aggressive. Play with physicality and energy towards Allen and on these pulls. If that’s the case, Pittsburgh will win with an analogous method as final week: Run the ball, management the clock and grind out the victory.
