X-Factors for each Week 17 NFL Game

It’s now or never for a boatload of NFL teams looking to clinch certain seeding or a berth in the postseason. Even teams that are on the outside of the playoff picture can spoil a contending team’s plans with an unexpected performance from a player looking to earn their next contract. We’ll highlight one player from each game who could make a huge difference.

Cleveland was able to unleash an aerial attack on the Houston Texans in Week 16, but don’t figure to be able to pull that off against the Jets on Thursday night. Sauce Gardner will likely embrace the challenge of slowing Amari Cooper down. The Browns will need to find room to run, making Ford’s production an important key to this game.

Hutchinson is the NFL leader in quarterback pressures, which is a scary thing to hear for Cowboys fans. Dallas just came off a contest where Dak Prescott was under duress against the Miami Dolphins. Dallas hopes to have tackle Tyron Smith back for this game, but they may elect to give their offensive line additional help to slow Hutchinson down.

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Miami wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has an uphill battle to play in this game, and the Ravens already know that the Dolphins will force feed Tyreek Hill targets. Someone else is going to have to step up for Miami, and it seems like Wilson is the primary candidate. The Dolphins went to Wilson on their game-winning drive against Dallas last week after Waddle was injured.

Zappe arguably had his best game of the season against the Denver Broncos in Week 16. He did a solid job moving New England’s offense, but perhaps most importantly, he didn’t turn the ball over in that game. If Zappe is able to protect the ball against a surging Bills team, New England might have a chance to pull off another upset.

Atlanta likes to run the ball down the opposing team’s throat, which makes the defensive gameplan relatively simple for Chicago. With that said, they still have to execute, and Billings will be front and center in that objective. He’ll look to generate push up front to force the likes of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier to bounce their carries outside.

Houston unleashed a vicious pass rush in the first meeting between these two teams, and will look to replicate that success again in Week 17. Greenard might be one of the most underrated pass rushers in the NFL, as he has 12.5 sacks on the year. Tennessee will need to contain him and Will Anderson to function on offense in this contest.

Las Vegas has an outside chance to make the playoffs, and it’s going to be interesting to see how hard they push to finish the season strong. Josh Jacobs has been battling injuries the past couple of weeks, and White has stepped in serviceably in those games. We’ll find out soon enough whether Jacobs will be able to contribute down the stretch, but the Raiders have another viable option.

Jacksonville’s injuries are piling up at the worst time of the season. It’s anyone’s guess as to whether Trevor Lawrence will be able to suit up this week after going down again. Regardless of who is under center for the Jaguars, Engram figures to be a featured outlet. His usage has gone up since Christian Kirk’s season ending injury.

Los Angeles has the potential to stifle New York’s offense right at the point of attack. The Giants don’t have much in the way of explosive players, and Donald will be lining up across from rookie center John Michael Schmitz. It wouldn’t be surprising for the All-Pro to register a bundle of tackles for losses and sacks here.

Very few fans will give Arizona a chance to win this game, but there’s one underlying narrative here that could be worth watching. Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon was Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator a year ago, and is intimately familiar with the Eagles’ star players. It’ll be a fun chess match watching Hurts go up against a coach who knows him so well.

Mike Evans is starting to receive the credit he likely deserves years ago. Additionally, he seems to take his play up a notch whenever he faces New Orleans. The Saints’ secondary figures to have their hands full, but Yiadom and Paulson Adebo need to do their best against one of the most physical receivers in the NFL.

This tilt serves as a homecoming for Young, who was traded to San Francisco from Washington earlier in the season. It seemed like Young was going to be a cornerstone player for the Commanders, but plans shifted when the team got off to a slow start this year. It’s a good bet that Young will be looking to wreak havoc against his former team on Sunday.

All of a sudden, Pittsburgh became a dangerous passing offense after the insertion of Mason Rudolph under center. George Pickens flashed in a major way in Week 16, but look for Seattle to shade coverage his way. Johnson hasn’t had noteworthy statistics in recent weeks, but has the chance to get back into the mix on Sunday.

Slowly but surely, Sutton has become one of Denver’s most important players. He has the best connection with quarterback Russell Wilson, and has come down with several athletic catches this year. Sutton was knocked out of last week’s game with a concussion, and his status is worth monitoring ahead of a rematch with the Chargers.

Kansas City’s backfield is marred by injuries, which may give Edwards-Helaire the chance to be the featured ballcarrier on Sunday. Jerrick McKinnon was placed on injured reserve, and Isiah Pacheco took a knee to the head after losing his helmet against the Las Vegas Raiders. It’s a critical game for Kansas City, and an opportunity for Edwards-Helaire to show why he was a first round pick.

Minnesota’s impressive stable of pass catchers has been affected by injury in recent weeks. Tight end T.J. Hockenson tore his ACL last week, and wide receiver Jordan Addison is questionable for this game with an ankle injury. That makes Alexander’s matchup with Justin Jefferson even more important, and it’ll be a fun one to keep track of.