The New York Giants have their superstars in quarterback Eli Manning, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. When the Giants win, these players are praised. When they lose, we’re quick to blame them for the team’s shortcomings.
The so-called X-factors, on the other hand, have a specific job to do, and they’re expected to execute it consistently. Sometimes, they do their respective jobs so well that they go largely unnoticed.
New York’s most underrated X-factor is not an electric return specialist. He’s not a situational pass-rusher or a third-down running back, either.