Exciting games on this week’s NFL schedule will have fans glued to their television throughout the weekend. Standings are tight in both conferences, requiring franchises to make surgical adjustments to advance to the next phase. In the AFC, nine teams have five losses or less. Placement in the NFC race is similar, resulting in seven teams with positive records. Results from a busy weekend of football with impact playoff implications significantly.
Here are a few players that will help their team come closer to clinching a playoff berth.
NFL X-Factor #4: Tyreek Hill
Miami Dolphins (8-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (7-4)
Impact: Making big plays against a strong defense
Clinching the AFC East will require each team to dig deep. Two games separate teams in the rankings entering Week 13 – adding extra value to capturing a victory. Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins continue to play well. They’re first in the division (8-3) and focused on defeating a top-ranked defense this weekend. Demeco Ryans’ squad is elite and will be ready to take on McDaniel’s offense.
Tagovailoa will need help from his All-Pro receiver to secure a victory this week. We can expect Tyrek Hill to be busy – beating the man-to-man coverages and accumulating yards after the catch. This season, Hill is ranked first in receiving yards (1,233) and yards per game (112.1) – making him an X-Factor heading into this weekend. If Miami’s offense can find its groove through No.10 they will have a chance to add another victory to the win column.
NFL X-Factor #3: Jonathan Taylor
Indianapolis Colts (4-7) @ Dallas Cowboys (8-3)
Impact: Keeping Micah Parsons Occupied
Consecutive losses against the Eagles and Steelers positioned Indianapolis further out of the playoff picture. Jeff Saturday’s squad is three spots short of the playoff bracket entering Week 13 and will need to secure a win to stay alive. Defeating the Cowboys on the road is a task. Micah Parsons’ presence on the field is eminent, making it hard for opposing offenses to move the football.
Jonathan Taylor will be a vital piece to an Indianapolis victory. In 2022, Taylor ranks tenth in rushing yards (779) and ninth in rushing attempts (171). Feeding No.28 should wear down a Dallas defense that ranks twenty-second in rushing yards allowed (1,447). Indianapolis’ former MVP has only recorded two 100-yard rushing performances this season. An increase in carries per game should help Taylor produce well this weekend.