The playoffs are where players can emerge and become legends for their fanbase. During the Patriots dynasty run, players like Julian Edelman and Deion Branch emerged. In recent memory, we have players like Nick Foles and Isiah Pacheco who exceeded expectations on the way to playing pivotal roles in their team’s Super Bowl wins.
On that note, Ian Valentino of The 33rd Team named his playoff X-factor’s, and he gave an unexpected name for who could make a difference for the Vikings.
Valentino didn’t go with a big name but rather someone who can be forgotten on the defensive side of things. He writes that Jihad Ward has the chance to be the biggest x-factor for the Vikings in a potential playoff run.
He cites Ward’s ability to rush the passer citing, “. . .totaling 31 quarterback pressures, Ward set career-highs in pass-rush effectiveness despite having only one sack. Flores has asked Ward to forget about run assignments as much. . .he’s simply penetrating with his quickness and length, and it’s boosting a defense lacking defined talent across the unit.”
The interior defensive line of the Vikings lacks one true monster for teams to worry about, but rather, they are working with a rotation of players. Jihad Ward is a part of it, but Jalen Redmond has also emerged from that approach.
It will be interesting to see how his pressure rate continues in the playoffs, starting on Monday against the Rams.