While each X-Factor requires different parameters to be met and can be deactivated in a game if the opposition meets its own requirements, when active, X-Factors represent the game’s biggest influences. This year’s list differs from last year’s thanks to new stars rising and others fading.
Below we’ll give you a rundown of every team’s Superstar X-Factor players, what ability they’ve been bestowed, and what each ability does. We’ll also highlight which team has the most X-Factor players and which teams, sadly, have none at all.
Keep in mind this is the launch list and throughout the season, players can acquire or lose X-Factor abilities based on their real-life performance.
Below is every X-Factor assigned in the game on a team by team basis, with special attention paid to teams with the most X-Factors and the teams without any X-Factors.
Chicago Bears
X-Factor: Khalil Mack
Ability: Unstoppable Force – pass runs wins lead to quicker block shedding
Other Superstars: Allen Robinson II
Cincinnati Bengals
X-Factor: None
Other Superstars: Joe Mixon, Geno Atkins
Buffalo Bills
X-Factor: Stefon Diggs
Ability: Rac ‘Em Up – wins RAC catches versus single coverage
X-Factor: Tre’Davious White
Ability: Shutdown – tighter coverage and more INTs on contested catches
Other Superstars: Micah Hyde
Denver Broncos
X-Factor: Von Miller
Ability: Fearmonger – chance to pressure the QB while engaged with a blocker
Other Superstars: Justin Simmons, Courtland Sutton
Cleveland Browns
X-Factor: Myles Garrett
Ability: Unstoppable Force – pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding
X-Factor: Nick Chubb
Ability: Wrecking Ball – high success rate on next three trucks or stiff arms
Other Superstars: Odell Beckham Jr.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
X-Factor: Mike Evans
Ability: Double Me – wins aggressive catches versus single coverage
X-Factor: Tom Brady
Ability: Pro Reads – highlights the first open target and ignores pressure
Other Superstars: Rob Gronkowski, Lavonte David, Chris Godwin, Shaquil Barrett
Arizona Cardinals
X-Factor: Deandre Hopkins
Ability: Double Me – wins aggressive catches versus single coverage
X-Factor: Chandler Jones
Ability: Fearmonger – chance to pressure QB while engaged with a blocker
Other Superstars: Budda Baker, Kyler Murray
Los Angeles Chargers
X-Factor: Keenan Allen
Ability: Max Security – high success rate on possession catches
X-Factor: Joey Bosa
Ability: Unstoppable Force – pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding
X-Factor: Derwin James
Ability: Reinforcement – higher chance to defeat run blocks and disrupt catches
Other Superstars: Chris Harris Jr.
Kansas City Chiefs
X-Factor: Patrick Mahomes
Ability: Bazooka – max throwing distance increased by 15+ yards
X-Factor: Travis Kelce
Ability: Double Me – wins aggressive catches versus single coverage
X-Factor: Tyreek Hill
Ability: RAC ‘Em Up – wins RAC catches versus single coverage
X-Factor: Tyrann Mathieu
Ability: Reinforcement – higher chance to defeat run blocks and disrupt catches
X-Factor: Chris Jones
Ability: Momentum Shift – on field opponents have their zone progress wiped
Other Superstars: Mitchell Schwartz
Indianapolis Colts
X-Factor: None
Other Superstars: Quenton Nelson, Deforest Buckner, T.Y. Hilton
Dallas Cowboys
X-Factor: Amari Cooper
Ability: Max Security – high success rate on possession catches
X-Factor: Ezekiel Elliot
Ability: Freight Train – increased chance to break the next tackle attempt
X-Factor: DeMarcus Lawrence
Ability: Unstoppable Force – pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding
Other Superstars: Zack Martin, Tyron Smith, Dak Prescott
Miami Dolphins
X-Factor: None
Other Superstars: Byron Jones
Philadelphia Eagles
X-Factor: Fletcher Cox
Ability: Fearmonger – chance to pressure the QB while engaged with a blocker
Other Superstars: Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Darius Slay Jr., Zach Ertz, Lane Johnson, Carson Wentz
Atlanta Falcons
X-Factor: Julio Jones
Ability: Double Me – wins aggressive catches versus single coverage
Other Superstars: Grady Jarrett, Matt Ryan
Washington Football Team
X-Factor: None
Other Superstars: Brandon Scherff, Ryan Kerrigan
San Francisco 49ers
X-Factor: George Kittle
Ability: YAC ‘Em Up – increased chance to break the first post-catch tackle
X-Factor: Richard Sherman
Ability: Shutdown – tighter coverage and more INTs on contested catches
X-Factor: Nick Bosa
Ability: Relentless – rush moves no longer cost points
Other Superstars: Trent Williams, Fred Warner, Arik Armstead
New York Giants
X-Factor: Saquon Barkley
Ability: First One Free – high fakeout rate on next juke, spin, or hurdle
Other Superstars: None
Jacksonville Jaguars
X-Factor: None
Other Superstars: Leonard Fournette, Josh Allen
New York Jets
X-Factor: None
Other Superstars: None
Detroit Lions
X-Factor: None
Other Superstars: Kenny Golladay
Green Bay Packers
X-Factor: Davante Adams
Ability: Double Me – wins aggressive catches versus single coverage
X-Factor: Jaire Alexander
Ability: Shutdown – tighter coverage and more INTs on contested coverage
X-Factor: Aaron Rodgers
Ability: Gambler – faster passes that can’t be picked off by AI defenders
Other Superstars: David Bakhtiari, Kenny Clark, Za’Darius Smith
Carolina Panthers
X-Factor: Christian McCaffrey
Ability: Ankle Breaker – high fakeout rate on skill moves following the catch
Other Superstars: D.J. Moore
New England Patriots
X-Factor: Stephon Gilmore
Ability: Shutdown – tighter coverage and more INTs on contested catches
X-Factor: Devin McCourty
Ability: Zone Hawk – More INTs in zone coverage
Other Superstars: Julian Edelman
Las Vegas Raiders
X-Factor: None
Other Superstars: Rodney Hudson, Josh Jacobs, Trent Brown
Los Angeles Rams
X-Factor: Aaron Donald
Ability: Blitz – on field blockers have their resistance bars wiped
X-Factor: Jalen Ramsey
Ability: Bottleneck – dominantly win man press attempts
Other Superstars: Cooper Kupp, Andrew Whitworth
Baltimore Ravens
X-Factor: Calais Campbell
Ability: Run Stuffer – block shedding is more effective versus run plays
X-Factor: Lamar Jackson
Ability: Truzz – can’t fumble as a result of a tackle
Other Superstars: Ronnie Stanley, Marlon Humphrey
New Orleans Saints
X-Factor: Michael Thomas
Ability: Max Security – high success rate on possession catches
X-Factor: Cameron Jordan
Ability: Unstoppable Force – pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding
X-Factor: Drew Brees
Ability: Pro Reads – highlights the first open target and ignores pressure
Other Superstars: Terron Armstead, Ryan Ramczyk, Alvin Kamara
Seattle Seahawks
X-Factor: Bobby Wagner
Ability: Avalanche – downhill hit-sticks force fumbles
X-Factor: Russell Wilson
Ability: Blitz Radar – highlights extra blitzers
X-Factor: Jamal Adams
Ability: Avalanche – downhill hit-sticks force fumbles
Other Superstars: None
Pittsburgh Steelers
X-Factor: T.J. Watt
Ability: Unstoppable Force – pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding
Other Superstars: David Decastro, Cameron Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick
Houston Texans
X-Factor: J.J. Watt
Ability: Relentless – rush moves no longer cost points
Other Superstars: Deshaun Watson
Tennessee Titans
X-Factor: Derrick Henry
Ability: Freight Train – increased chance to break the next tackle attempt
Other Superstars: Kevin Byard
Minnesota Vikings
X-Factor: Harrison Smith
Ability: Reinforcement – higher chance to defeat run blocks and disrupt catches
X-Factor: Dalvin Cook
Ability: First One Free – high fakeout rate on next juke, spin, or hurdle
X-Factor: Adam Thielen
Ability: Double Me – wins aggressive catches versus single coverage
X-Factor: Danielle Hunter
Ability: Unstoppable Force – pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding
Other Superstars: Eric Kendricks
Team with the most X-Factors
With five Superstar X-Factors in total, the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs have the most in Madden NFL 21 at launch.
Team with the most total Superstars (Superstars and X-Factors combined)
Though they have just one X-Factor in Fletcher Cox, the Philadelphia Eagles hold the current record for the most overall Superstars at seven total thanks to six other Superstar-level players on the roster.
Teams with no X-Factors
Almost a quarter of the league, or seven teams total, have no X-Factor players at all. These teams are the Bengals, Colts, Dolphins, Washington Football Team, Jets, Lions, and Raiders.
The New York Jets stand alone as the only team in Madden NFL 21 without any X-Factors or Superstars following the team’s trade of Jamal Adams to the Seattle Seahawks.
