X-Factor Abilities List - Madden NFL 22 Guide - IGN (2024)

Welcome to the official IGN Wiki Guide and Walkthrough for Madden NFL 22. In this section, we'll guide you through all of the X-Factor abilities at launch on Madden 22. These are game-changing abilities are activated by completing different in-game requirements. Successfully turning one on can be the difference between success and failure.

Superstar abilities, on the other hand are passive skills that are always on. Players with X-Factors also possess several key Superstar skills, but the reverse isn't always true. Knowing which player has X-Factor abilities is important because it tells you where the gamechangers are on either your team or your opponents.

Because these skills are so important, there are only 50 players in the NFL that have them. The list below is how things stand at launch. As the real-world NFL season plays out, expect to see X-Factor abilities shift as some players prove themselves deserving while others fall off of the pace.

Chicago Bears

X-Factor: Khalil Mack

Ability: Unstoppable Force - Pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding.

Other Superstars: Allen Robinson II

Cincinnati Bengals

X-Factor: None

Other Superstars: Jessie Bates III, Joe Mixon

Buffalo Bills

X-Factor: Stefon Diggs

Ability: Rac 'Em Up - Win RAC catches vs. single coverage.

X-Factor: Tre'Davious White

Ability: Shutdown - Tighter coverage and more INTs on contested catches.

Other Superstars: Josh Allen, Micah, Hyde, Cole Beasley

Denver Broncos

X-Factor: Von Miller

Ability: Fearmonger - Chance to pressure the QB while engaged with a blocker.

Other Superstars: None

Cleveland Browns

X-Factor: Myles Garrett

Ability: Unstoppable Force - Pass rush wins leads to quicker block shedding.

X-Factor: Nick Chubb

Ability: Wrecking Ball - High success rate on trucks and stiff arms.

Other Superstars: Odell Beckham Jr.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

X-Factor: Tom Brady

Ability: Pro Reads - Highlights the first open target and ignores pressure.

X-Factor: Lavonte David

Ability: Run Stuffer - Block shedding is more effective vs. run plays.

X-Factor: Mike Evans

Ability: Double Me - Wins aggressive catches vs. single coverage.

Other Superstars: Ali Marpet, Tristan Wirfs, Shaquil Barrett, Chris Godwin

Arizona Cardinals

X-Factor: DeAndre Hopkins

Ability: Double Me - Wins aggressive catches vs. single coverage.

X-Factor: Chandler Jones

Ability: Fearmonger - Chance to pressure the QB while engaged with a blocker.

X-Factor: J.J. Watt

Ability: Relentless - Rush moves no longer cost points.

Other Superstars: Budda Baker, Rodney Hudson, 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 leads to quicker block shedding.

X-Factor: Derwin James Jr.

Ability: Reinforcement - Higher chance to defeat run blocks and disrupt catches.

Other Superstars: None

Kansas City Chiefs

X-Factor: Patrick Mahomes

Ability: Bazooka - Max throwing distance increased.

X-Factor: Travis Kelce

Ability: Double Me - Wins aggressive catches vs. single coverage.

X-Factor: Tyreek Hill

Ability: Rac 'Em Up - Wins RAC catches vs. 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: None

Indianapolis Colts

X-Factor: DeForest Buckner

Ability: Unstoppable Force - Pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding.

Other Superstars: Quenton Nelson, Darius Leonard

Dallas Cowboys

X-Factor: Amari Cooper

Ability: Max Security - High success rate on possession catches.

X-Factor: Ezekiel Elliott

Ability: Freight Train - Increased chance to break the next tackle attempt.

Other Superstars: Zack Martin, Tyron Smith, Dak Prescott

Miami Dolphins

X-Factor: Xavien Howard

Ability: Zone Hawk - More INTs in zone coverage.

Other Superstars: Byron Jones.

Philadelphia Eagles

X-Factor: Fletcher Cox

Ability: Fearmonger - Chance to pressure the QB while engaged with a blocker.

Other Superstars: Brandon Brooks, Jason Kelce, Darius Slay Jr., Lane Johnson

Atlanta Falcons

X-Factor: None

Other Superstars: Calvin Ridley, Grady Jarrett, Kyle Pitts

Washington Football Team

X-Factor: None

Other Superstars: Terry McLaurin, Johnathan Allen, Brandon Scherff, Chase Young

San Francisco 49ers

X-Factor: George Kittle

Ability: YAC 'Em Up - Increased chance to break the first post-catch tackle.

X-Factor: Fred Warner

Ability: Zone Hawk - More INTs in zone coverage.

X-Factor: Nick Bosa

Ability: Relentless - Rush moves no longer cost points.

Other Superstars: Trent Williams

New York Giants

X-Factor: Saquon Barkley

Ability: First One Free - High fakeout rate on next juke, spin, or hurdle

Other Superstars: James Bradberry IV, Kenny Golladay

Jacksonville Jaguars

X-Factor: None

Other Superstars: Myles Jack, Josh Allen

New York Jets

X-Factor: None

Other Superstars: Mekhi Becton

Detroit Lions

X-Factor: None

Other Superstars: None

Green Bay Packers

X-Factor: Davante Adams

Ability: Double Me - Wins aggressive catches vs. single coverage.

X-Factor: Aaron Rodgers

Ability: Gambler - Faster passes that can't be picked off by AI defenders.

X-Factor: Jaire Alexander

Ability: Shutdown - Tighter coverage and more INTs on contested catches.

Other Superstars: David Bakhtiari, Aaron Jones, 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: Brian Burns, 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: Trent Brown

Las Vegas Raiders

X-Factor: Darren Waller

Ability: YAC 'Em Up - Increased chance to break the first post-catch tackle.

Other Superstars: None

Los Angeles Rams

X-Factor: Jalen Ramsey

Ability: Bottleneck - Dominantly win man press attempts

X-Factor: Aaron Donald

Ability: Blitz - On field blockers have their resistance bars wiped.

Other Superstars: Andrew Whitworth, Cooper Kupp

Baltimore Ravens

X-Factor: Lamar Jackson

Ability: Truzz - Can't fumble as a result of a tackle

Other Superstars: Ronnie Stanley, Marlon Humphry, Calais Campbell

New Orleans Saints

X-Factor: Michael Thomas

Ability: Max Security - High success rate on possession catches.

X-Factor: Alvin Kamara

Ability: Satellite - Wins RAC and possession catches vs. single coverage.

X-Factor: Cameron Jordan

Ability: Pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding.

Other Superstars: Terron Armstead, Demario Davis, Ryan Ramczyk

Seattle Seahawks

X-Factor: Russell Wilson

Ability: Blitz Radar - Highlights extra blitzers.

X-Factor: Bobby Wagner

Ability: Avalanche - Downhill hit-sticks force fumbles.

X-Factor: Jamal Adams

Ability: Avalanche - Downhill hit-sticks force fumbles.

Other Superstars: D.K. Metcalf

Pittsburgh Steelers

X-Factor: T.J. Watt

Ability: Unstoppable Force - Pass rush leads to quicker block shedding.

Other Superstars: Cameron Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick

Houston Texans

X-Factor: None

Other Superstars: None

Tennessee Titans

X-Factor: Derrick Henry

Ability: Freight Train - Increased chance to break the next tackle attempt.

X-Factor: Julio Jones

Ability: Double Me - Wins aggressive catches vs. single coverage.

Other Superstars: Kevin Byard

Minnesota Vikings

X-Factor: Dalvin Cook

Ability: First One Free - High fakeout rate on next juke, spin, or hurdle.

X-Factor: Danielle Hunter

Ability: Unstoppable Force - Pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding.

Other Superstars: Harrison Smith, Eric Kendricks, Adam Thielen, Justin Jefferson

Team with the most X-Factors

As we saw in Madden NFL 21, the Kansas City Chiefs have the most Superstar X-Factors. Just like last year, they claim five players with the important skills.

Teams with the most total Superstars (Superstars and X-Factors combined)

Surprisingly, this category is a tie between the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Green Bay Packers. Both teams have three X-Factors and four Superstars, giving them the edge over a few teams with six players that meet the criteria.

Teams with no X-Factors

Just like Madden 21, there are seven teams without an X-Factor at the start of the season. These teams are the Bengals, Falcons, Washington Football Team, Jaguars, Jets, Lions, and Texans.

The Detroit Lions and Houston Texans take things one step further and have no X-Factors or Superstars. Hopefully, that changes for those fanbases over the course of the season.