X-Factors for each team playing on NFL Wild Card weekend

The playoffs have finally arrived, and the stakes have never been higher this NFL season. Each play is magnified while the prospect of going home looms large. We’ll identify one player for each team that can make the difference between their organization advancing to the next round of the playoffs, or starting their offseason next week.

The Texans come into Wild Card Weekend with a litany of injuries to their wide receiver group. That didn’t seem to matter in Week 18, as Nico Collins dominated the Indianapolis Colts from start to finish. Cleveland would be well served doing all they can to limit Collins in this game, and we can expect a heavy dose of Ward on Houston’s number one pass catcher.

As great as C.J. Stroud has played this season, it’s important to remember that he’s still an NFL rookie who is about to compete in his first playoff game. Houston shouldn’t pare down its offensive attack too much, but veterans like Schultz may help Stroud navigate the pressure of a postseason game.

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The Dolphins have had a stunning amount of injuries to their linebacker/edge rusher unit this season, and are signing players off of practice squads this week to fill the void. Ogbah has been with the team all season, and will need to play a major role in the absence of so many players. He’s a former Chief, which may add a little extra motivation.

Flipping over to the other side of the line of scrimmage, Kansas City must be licking their chops looking at Miami’s decimated defense. Kelce has not had the same type of impact this season as in previous campaigns, but the middle of the field should be ripe for the picking against Miami’s patchwork front seven.

The Steelers did well to win in Week 18 to make the postseason, but it came at the expense of T.J. Watt, who will miss Wild Card Weekend with a knee injury. This makes Highsmith’s role on the defense even more important. He finished second on the team in sacks, and will need to find a way to get pressure on Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen.

Just like Pittsburgh, Buffalo came away with a Week 18 victory but may have lost an important player for their postseason run. Wide receiver Gabe Davis went down with a knee injury last Sunday, which means that Shakir and others on the Bills depth chart must step up. Coverage will likely be shaded in Stefon Diggs’ direction, so Shakir will have opportunities to shine.

Going up against Micah Parsons and a vaunted Dallas defense is no easy task, as they have physically imposing players across the front seven. Myers will literally have his hands full dealing with that, but must also help his offense out by making calls at the line to confirm protection at the line of scrimmage.

It’s the moment Cowboys fans have been waiting for. The “yea, but” narrative involving Prescott is well documented, and how he fares in the postseason is what fans will be talking about. A bad game will stick on his ledger for years, while a standout performance will help silence the doubters who feel like Prescott can’t win big games.

It’s hard to imagine the Lions stacking the box with more than eight players, considering the weapons Los Angeles has on the outside. As a result, Williams will have the chance to make his mark in the backfield this weekend. He’s had a superb season, and could further cement his standing as one of the best backs in the NFL.

It’s going to be fascinating to see how Detroit deploys Gibbs in this game. He has a versatile skill set that will allow offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to line him up as a lot receiver. Los Angeles may or may not be prepared for such a deployment, which is something the Lions may want to find out as early as their first series.

The Eagles’ defense and secondary in particular has been much maligned down the stretch of the season. Philadelphia is hoping that cornerback Darius Slay is healthy enough to provide a boost in that area, but Bradberry will also need to step up on Monday night. Chris Godwin and Mike Evans could have a field day at his expense if he doesn’t play well.

Tampa Bay’s running game has been much better than it was a year ago, when they also hosted a playoff game on Wild Card Weekend. White’s elusiveness as a runner and pass catcher has helped Tampa Bay move the ball, and they’ll need similar production against a staunch Philadelphia defensive line.