7 players who’ll be the biggest playoff x-factors for the Detroit Lions

2. LB Alex Anzalone

Anzalone missed six games with a broken forearm before returning in Week 18. Deeper data (DVOA) shows the impact of his absence on the Lions’ defense, as did the eye test and more traditional stats. His return to action proved his importance, as the Vikings were held to nine points in the regular season finale.

Anzalone acknowledged he wasn’t quite 100 percent going into Week 18, and he probably still won’t be (as if anyone is right now) until the season is over. But he did say the week off helped his still-healing forearm.

“A little better,” Anzalone said on Wednesday regarding his forearm, via MLive.” Last week was a struggle bus, but hopefully I’ve turned the corner a little bit in that regard. I definitely needed it.”

Anzalone is arguably, or maybe inarguably, the Lions’ most important defensive player heading into the playoffs. His all-around ability as a run and pass defender will be vital against whoever they face.

1. WR Jameson Williams

Williams has turned a big corner overall this season, becoming a more complete receiver (eliminating drops, expanding his route tree) and showing great maturity as a man when bits of adversity have come.

The intangible areas Williams has shown growth in this year are important. But the difference he’ll make over the rest of the season will now be focused on the field. He finished second in the league in yards per catch during the regular season (17.2 YPC), and four of his six receiving touchdowns were over 50 yards.

Williams previewed his third-year breakout with two total touchdowns in last year’s NFC Championship Game against the 49ers. Early in the season offensive coordinator Ben Johnson called his impact on the Lions’ offense “the Jameson effect”, as defenses have to account for him as a deep threat.

It’s playoff time, and if the Lions are going to make a deep run Williams will central to it happening.