Can Hood fill Sheppard's shoes?
Star players alone don't decide playoff games. Jeremy Green looks at eight players who could be X factors this weekend.
Originally Published: January 10, 2007
By Jeremy Green | Scouts Inc.
There are going to be a lot of great players on display in the divisional round, but star players alone don't decide playoff games. There are several other players who are not necessarily stars but could have a huge impact in a positive way or a negative one. We call them X factors, and here are eight we identified for this weekend, one from each team.
Indianapolis ROT Ryan Diem: The Ravens defense will pose the biggest test the Colts have faced all season. A big part of the Ravens' defensive success is the fact that they are versatile enough to play the 4-3 and the 3-4. In the 3-4, Diem will have to handle Trevor Pryce (13 sacks). On pass downs, Terrell Suggs (7.5 sacks) will align over Diem, who will have his hands full all day.
Indianapolis at Baltimore
Indianapolis ROT Ryan Diem: The Ravens defense will pose the biggest test the Colts have faced all season. A big part of the Ravens' defensive success is the fact that they are versatile enough to play the 4-3 and the 3-4. In the 3-4, Diem will have to handle Trevor Pryce (13 sacks). On pass downs, Terrell Suggs (7.5 sacks) will align over Diem, who will have his hands full all day.
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