Five players who could dramatically shape NFL playoff race

The 2025 NFL season has entered its second half, and playoff races are starting to get intense. So let's take a look at five key players around the league who are going to play a significant role in dramatically shaping how those playoff races are going to go. It is not necessarily the best players in the NFL, but players who are going to be major X-factors for their teams and playoff positioning. 

J.J. McCarthy, quarterback, Minnesota Vikings

There might not be a bigger wild-card player for the NFL playoff race the rest of the season than McCarthy. The Vikings have invested heavily in the roster and put together a talented team that should have serious Super Bowl expectations. 

But they have entrusted a second-year quarterback who, to this point, has only played three NFL games in his career due to injury, and nobody really knows what he is capable of or what he will do when the lights are on. 

The Vikings go into Sunday's game against the Ravens with a 4-4 record and need to start stacking wins to get themselves back into the NFC playoff picture. 

McCarthy's development and play will make-or-break what they do. 

Lamar Jackson, quarterback, Baltimore Ravens

Even with a 3-5 record entering the week, there is still an expectation that the Ravens are going to win the AFC North. 

The return of a healthy Jackson is one of the biggest reasons why. 

Jackson has only played in five games this season, but he has played at an MVP level when healthy and already has 14 touchdown passes to only one interception. 

The Ravens have almost no margin for error in the standings and still have serious questions regarding their defense. They probably need to go at least 7-2 the rest of the way just to have a shot at the playoffs. 

If Jackson stays healthy and plays his best football, it definitely seems possible. 

Jonathan Taylor, running back, Indianapolis Colts

The 7-2 Colts are in a great position in the AFC playoff picture, and their first half has been a huge surprise to everybody around the NFL. But how much faith do they really have — and how much faith should anybody have — in Daniel Jones continuing to play the way he has? 

Sunday's loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers had to sound some alarm bells given his turnover problems. 

If Jones has any regression in the second half, it is going to put extra pressure on Taylor to carry the offense. He is capable of doing it, entering the week leading the league in rushing and continuing to cement himself as one of the top playmaking running backs in the league. 

He is capable of having the entire offense run through him. 

Caleb Williams, quarterback, Chicago Bears

The 5-3 Bears have won five of their past six games and played their way back into playoff contention in the NFC. Their ability to maintain that recent push, and build on it, is going to largely revolve around Williams and his ability to keep taking steps forward.

There is no denying his talent and upside.

The Bears have also seen it on display at times, including this past Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. But they need to see it consistently. They need to see the accuracy consistently. 

If they can keep getting that out of him, the sky is the limit for their potential of their offense. 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, wide receiver, Seattle Seahawks

What makes Smith-Njigba so fascinating is that he is putting together a compelling case to win the NFL MVP award with the 6-2 Seahawks. 

It is important to note that no wide receiver has ever won the NFL's MVP award.

But Smith-Njigba has become the go-to player in Seattle's offense, leading the league in receiving yards by a wide margin — 948 yards, while the next-closest receiver is Ja'Marr Chase with 831 — while also catching an incredible 58 of the 79 passes thrown his direction. 

The Seahawks offense has become a force with new quarterback Sam Darnold, but pretty much the entire passing game rolls through Smith-Njigba as more than 36% of their passing attempts go in his direction. Their offense goes as he goes.