Every NFL team has its strengths and weaknesses, and in the playoffs those are put under a microscope as teams look for any possible edge. An X-Factor is defined as “a variable in a situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome.” In NFL terms, that means a player or position that could single-handedly determine how far a team goes in the postseason. With that in mind, here is a look at every playoff team’s biggest X-Factor on its road to Super Bowl LX.

Denver Broncos: Rushing Offense

Much of the Broncos’ success this season has stemmed from their defense, and it will have to do even more heavy lifting in the playoffs. Because of this, it is key for Denver to establish a ground game, as time of possession and controlling the clock are extremely important in tight defensive games. Keeping the defense well-rested and allowing it to remain the team’s biggest strength could take the Broncos a long way.

New England Patriots: Stefon Diggs

With the Patriots being a young team on the rise, they do not have much playoff experience on their roster. This is why Diggs will be very important for Drake Maye, who is starting in his first career playoff game. Diggs has plenty of postseason experience from his time in Minnesota and Buffalo. He has been dealing with some legal issues recently, and it is imperative those do not become distractions.

Jacksonville Jaguars: The WR Room

The Jaguars’ impressive midseason surge  from 5-4 to 13-4 is largely due to the addition of Jakobi Meyers and the wide receiver room stepping up as a whole. Brian Thomas Jr. was expected to be a much more focal point in the offense this season but has not lived up to expectations. Instead, it was Parker Washington who finished the season as the Jags’ leading receiver and has been on a hot streak over the last month.

Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt

In early December, T.J. Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung that sidelined him for several weeks. He had surgery soon after and has been recovering ever since. His presence on the defensive line is massive, as getting Watt back to full strength allows the other stars up front to see more one-on-one matchups. The Steelers are known for their hard-nosed defense, so it should come as no surprise that the leader of that unit is so important to the team.

Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud

The Texans, similarly to the Broncos, have thrived this season on the backs of their elite defense. Houston scored 20 or fewer points in over half of its games this year, including every single loss. Despite this, they still managed to win four of those nine games thanks to their defense. C.J. Stroud must play better than he did earlier in the season, and playing turnover-free football would greatly help the other side of the ball. Houston will continue to rely on its defense to close out games, and it is up to Stroud and the offense to keep them there.

Buffalo Bills: Run Defense

The Bills are licking their lips at the sight of an AFC playoff picture without Mahomes and Burrow, as they have been responsible for Buffalo’s exit five years running. Josh Allen has been a historic playoff riser throughout his career, and this looks like one of his best shots yet at hoisting a Lombardi. However, the run defense has been horrid this year for the Bills. The more the defense is on the field getting gashed by the run, the less Josh Allen is. Keeping Allen on the field and letting him work his magic will be key to finally reaching the Super Bowl.

Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert

After last year’s disappointing first-round exit, the Chargers and Justin Herbert are ready to right their wrongs. Herbert threw four interceptions in his wild-card loss, and talk of him not being able to step up in big moments quickly spread. Los Angeles has been decimated by injuries all season long. They have the talent though and it will be interesting to see whether their system and current group can make a deep postseason run.

Seattle Seahawks: Sam Darnold

It should come as no surprise that Sam Darnold appears here, considering how he collapsed in the playoffs last season. Thankfully for Darnold, it is a new year and another opportunity to prove everyone wrong. He struggled when facing heavy pressure in Minnesota but has been fortunate to play behind one of the best offensive lines in the league in Seattle. If they can protect him as they have all year, it will give him the time he needs to get the ball to the Seahawks’ premier wideouts who so often decide games.

Chicago Bears: Defensive Line

Chicago’s offensive line has been one of its biggest strengths all season, but the Bears have struggled much more on the other side of the ball. They have been gashed by the run game all year, ranking 27th in the league, and their pass rush has also been inconsistent. Struggling in both areas will lead to Caleb Williams and the offense spending less time on the field while putting their below-average defense in difficult situations.

Philadelphia Eagles: Kevin Patullo

Offensive issues have plagued the Eagles for much of the season despite having a roster loaded with talent. Because of this, and several questionable play calls throughout the year, much of the blame has fallen on first-year offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. Philadelphia knows it has a championship-caliber core, but things have been tougher since the coordinator change. Patullo needs to keep the game plan simple and allow his stars to take over.

Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young

The 8–9 Panthers snuck into the playoffs on the backs of a young and hungry defense but ended the season on a sour note. Carolina’s offense has been extremely inconsistent, and when it is off, winning becomes nearly impossible. In their nine losses this year, they averaged just 12.3 points. Bryce Young has had both good moments and bad ones this season. In the playoffs, he may not be able to afford even a few poor drives.

Los Angeles Rams: Special Teams

On paper, the Rams are loaded, and this looks like the best team Sean McVay has had as the head coach in Los Angeles. But one of the most overlooked aspects of football continues to hurt them. Missed and blocked field goals, poor coverage on punt and kick returns, and more have plagued this unit. The Rams’ special teams have been shaky, and it has cost them games against the Seahawks, Eagles, and 49ers. Los Angeles knows it can compete with the best in the league, but these issues could knock them out early if left unchecked.

San Francisco 49ers: Christian McCaffrey

The heart and soul of the 49ers’ offense totaled over 2,100 yards during the regular season, and now they will need to rely on him even more throughout the postseason. His ability to be both a rushing threat and a receiver out of the backfield is invaluable. McCaffrey has been a major reason the 49ers’ passing attack has been so effective this year, as the attention he draws at the line of scrimmage opens up more opportunities down the field.

Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love

Love has been recovering from a concussion he suffered in his last matchup against the Bears three weeks ago and is set to take his first snaps since then, fittingly against the same team. There are concerns about rust, and the wide receiver room has also been banged up. Unfortunately, with it being the playoffs, there is no time to ease back in. Love and the Packers must find their form quickly and use the cold they know so well to their advantage.

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