Wild Card Round "X-factors"

Each year in the NFL Playoffs, players that aren't normally a major part of their team's success during the regular season, or players that are overlooked, step up in the post-season and are a huge factor in leading their team on a potential Super Bowl run. There are several players that have the ability to do that this year, also. Here is a list of guys, one per team, who I think can have a big influence on the outcome of the 2006-2007 NFL Playoffs:

Laurence Maroney, halfback, New England Patriots- Maroney had a great rookie year, rushing for 745 yards and six touchdowns. However, the 21-year old back is overshadowed by seasoned veteran Corey Dillon, New England's primary halfback in two of their past three Super Bowl triumphs. The New York Jets need to pay attention to the speedy Maroney, who can confuse defenses by using his finesse running style to contrast Dillon's power-style. If the Jets are not careful, the rookie might be the one they have to stop, and not the 32-year old veteran. Still, with their athletic defense, New York is well-equipped to hold Maroney in check. They just have to avoid his potential game-breaking runs.

Leon Washington, halfback, New York Jets- Washington was wrongly overlooked in the voting for Offensive Rookie of the Year. The 24-year old rushed for 650 yards and four scores and caught 25 passes for 270 yards. He is one of the fastest players in football, even faster than Maroney, and against New England's physical-oriented defense, Washington may have a big day. Although the Patriots play the 3-4, they are not exactly what you would call a speedy defense. Washington should be able to get to the outside and break some big runs against a defense that bases itself on physical toughness, not athleticism.

Dallas Clark, tight end, Indianapolis Colts- Although Clark is widely known as a considerable threat in the passing game, he is hidden by wide receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, the two focal points of the aerial attack and the offense (other than Peyton Manning). Clark is a player that benefits from having two good receivers to open him up over the middle for 10-to-15-yard throws. With Harrison and Wayne both being deep threats and two players that defenses key on, Clark tends to be forgotten. The Kansas City Chiefs will have to keep a close eye on him tonight.

Greg Wesley, free safety, Kansas City Chiefs- Wesley has always been one of the most underrated defensive backs in the league. He tallied 67 tackles and three interceptions this season, and is one of the better safeties in terms of coverage and picking passes off in the NFL. The 28-year old safety has very good hands and is a very intelligent player. If he can step his game up today, it would certainly frustrate the Colts' Manning who also has elite cornerbacks Ty Law and Patrick Surtain and strong safety Sammy Knight to deal with. If Wesley is able to do that, then the Colts will have to get into a ground-battle with the Chiefs, and that is a category in which Kansas City has an enormous advantage.

Jordan Babineaux, cornerback, Seattle Seahawks- With three cornerbacks out for the Seahawks today (Marcus Trufant, Kelly Herndon, and Jimmy Williams), Babineaux has to come up big against Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn of the Dallas Cowboys. Although Trufant and Herndon are clearly two best corners, Babineaux is no slouch. He totaled 55 tackles this season and logged one interception. He had 74 tackles and three picks last season, so obviously, he can play. The 24-year old is young, quick, and feisty, and his assignment will likely be Owens. You can be sure that he will get help from safeties Ken Hamlin and Michael Boulware, but he'll be fine either way.

Marcus Spears, defensive end, Dallas Cowboys- The Cowboys are going to have to put pressure on Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck today. It's not an option; it's a must. Excluding Kenyon Coleman (who is not a starter), Spears is the team's best pass-rusher on the defensive line. Jason Ferguson is solely a run-stuffer, and Chris Canty would be second or third-string on most other NFL teams. Other than DeMarcus Ware, Dallas has not been able to generate any sort of pass rush all season long. Even so, they must do that tonight, or else they're going to be in for a long game against the potentially explosive aerial attack of the Seahawks.

Sean Considine, strong safety, Philadelphia Eagles- With the New York Giants' 6'5" Plaxico Burress coming to town against the Eagles' smallish defensive backs, Considine is going to have to come up big for Philadelphia's secondary. Burress has burned Philly's defensive backs both times the two teams have met this season, accumulating over 100 yards receiving in both games and catching the game-winning touchdown in overtime of the first game. Neither Lito Sheppard or Sheldon Brown can handle him in single-coverage, and Brian Dawkins is going to be too pre-occupied with the run and is going to spend most of the game in the box, making Considine's role all the more larger. He needs to help out his cornerbacks in covering Burress. Not only does he have Plax to worry about, but he also has to tend to Jeremy Shockey. He is definitely going to have his plate full on Sunday.

Sinorice Moss, wide receiver, New York Giants- With Amani Toomer being done since tearing his ACL on November 5th, the Giants have yet to find a reliable number two wide receiver. Tim Carter hasn't really stepped up in Toomer's absence, and neither has David Tyree. Moss has been injured for the majority of the season, returning on December 3rd. Because the Eagles are a blitzing team, expect New York to use the explosive Moss on streak and curl routes to burn Philadelphia when they blitz. The Eagles don't exactly have the fastest secondary either, so if Moss can get open downfield, he and Eli Manning might have a field day. If the Giants establish Moss in the passing game, that will force the Eagles to stop blitzing, therefore giving Manning more time to throw, and it will force Philly to keep Burress in single-coverage. Shockey will also benefit, as he will not be double-teamed near as much. And, of course, this will open up Tiki Barber and the running game, as the Eagles' linebackers would then have to watch the triple-threat (Burress, Shockey, Moss) in the aerial attack at the same time.