Zion Tech Group

Tag: Xfactors

  • 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.


    1. D’Andre Swift – The running back has shown flashes of brilliance this season and could be a game-changer in the playoffs with his speed and agility.
    2. Trey Flowers – The defensive end has been a force on the Lions’ defense all season and will be crucial in applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks in the playoffs.
    3. Kenny Golladay – The wide receiver has been a reliable target for quarterback Matthew Stafford and will be key in stretching the field and making big plays in the playoffs.
    4. Jeff Okudah – The rookie cornerback has shown improvement throughout the season and will be tasked with shutting down some of the league’s top receivers in the playoffs.
    5. Romeo Okwara – The defensive end has been a disruptive force in the Lions’ pass rush and will need to continue getting after opposing quarterbacks in the playoffs.
    6. Jamie Collins – The veteran linebacker has been a leader on the Lions’ defense and will need to step up and make big plays in the playoffs.
    7. Matthew Stafford – The quarterback is the heart and soul of the Lions’ offense and will need to be at his best if Detroit hopes to make a deep playoff run. His experience and leadership will be crucial in guiding the team through tough matchups.

    Tags:

    1. Detroit Lions x-factors
    2. Detroit Lions playoff players
    3. Key players for Detroit Lions in playoffs
    4. Detroit Lions playoff impact players
    5. Top x-factors for Detroit Lions in playoffs
    6. Detroit Lions playoff game changers
    7. Detroit Lions key playoff performers

    #players #wholl #biggest #playoff #xfactors #Detroit #Lions

  • Jalen Johnson’s injury & 2 other X-factors as Hawks visit Nuggets

    Jalen Johnson’s injury & 2 other X-factors as Hawks visit Nuggets


    The Atlanta Hawks have done well to navigate their injury issues this season, but they seem to be walking a fine line once again.

    On the bright side, the Hawks could be poised to get Dyson Daniels back in the mix, with Locked On Hawks host Brad Rowland reporting the guard is “probable” for tonight’s game along with Trae Young.

    Bogdan Bogdanovic is “doubtful,” which is an improvement but still leaves him less than likely.

    Jalen Johnson was also added to the report late with a shoulder injury, per Rowland, who also noted the unfortunate timing of the injury.

    Hawks could be without Jalen Johnson vs Nuggets

    “Denver is a terrible matchup to be without Jalen Johnson,” Rowland posted on X on January 1. “Hawks got blasted without him in the game in Atlanta and they badly need his rebounding and secondary rim protection against Jokic.”

    Johnson missed the first matchup with the same injury, playing with a wrap on his shoulder and then appearing on the injury report the day before the game. The Hawks won the only other game Johnson has missed in 2024 (with a leg injury), beating the Sacramento Kings.

    That 30-point loss to Denver on December 8 is the widest margin of defeat for the Hawks this season.

    Johnson is averaging 19.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.

    He is shooting 50.9% from the floor and over 74% from the free throw line. And while he has not shot the three-ball particularly well at just 33.1%, he is liable to connect at any moment and does so many other things that you live through the lulls.

    Johnson has the highest on-off differential on the Hawks, per Cleaning The Glass. Making matters worse, the Hawks are also without Larry Nance Jr. due to a hand injury.

    Who plays PF?

    Without Johnson or Nance, the Hawks have but so many viable options for replacements at power forward. The immediate answer would seem to be Onyeka Okongwu, who has expanded his range and has seen some time there before.

    But without Cody Zeller, who remains away from the team, and Nance out, there are no other backups behind Clint Capela.

    The Hawks could insert De’Andre Hunter into the starting lineup at the 4.

    He has been so effective off the bench, though, and removing him would undoubtedly adversely affect the second unit. The Hawks could keep him on the bench and bring Vit Krecji or even Garrison Mathew into the starting five.

    They could slide rookie No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher to the other forward spot to accommodate such a decision.

    The Hawks could also turn to reserve David Roddy, who stuffs the stat sheet when he plays.

    Dyson Daniels’ return is critical

    Daniels’ potential return to action on Wednesday night is not exactly a surprise. Young suggested there was hope Daniels would rejoin the team in the midst of their six-game road trip following the win over the Toronto Raptors.

    Daniels’ on-off differential does not properly reflect just how he positively impacts the Hawks when he is on the floor.

    But it is clear to anyone who watches. Getting him big would be big, timely boost.





    The Atlanta Hawks are set to face off against the Denver Nuggets in a highly anticipated matchup, but they will be without one of their key players. Jalen Johnson, the promising rookie forward, will be sidelined with an injury, leaving a void in the Hawks’ lineup.

    However, there are two other X-factors that could potentially turn the tide in favor of the Hawks in this game. The first X-factor is Trae Young, the dynamic point guard who can single-handedly take over a game with his scoring and playmaking abilities. Young will need to step up in Johnson’s absence and lead the Hawks to victory.

    The second X-factor is the Hawks’ bench depth. With Johnson out, other players will need to step up and contribute off the bench. Players like Kevin Huerter, Danilo Gallinari, and Delon Wright will need to provide a spark and make an impact on both ends of the floor.

    As the Hawks visit the Nuggets, they will need to rely on these X-factors to overcome the adversity of Johnson’s injury and come out with a win. It will be a challenging test for Atlanta, but with the right adjustments and contributions from key players, they have the potential to pull off an upset against a tough Denver team.

    Tags:

    Jalen Johnson injury update, Atlanta Hawks vs Denver Nuggets preview, key players to watch, NBA game analysis, Jalen Johnson injury impact, X-factors for Hawks vs Nuggets, NBA match-up predictions, Jalen Johnson injury news, Atlanta vs Denver game preview.

    #Jalen #Johnsons #injury #Xfactors #Hawks #visit #Nuggets

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