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Super Bowl LIII X-Factors
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Super Bowl LIII X-Factors

It's often the unexpected players who end up making all of the difference in the Super Bowl. Here's a look at 20 players and coaches who could be difference makers in Super Bowl LIII.

 
1 of 20

Bill Belichick, head coach

Bill Belichick, head coach
Quinn Harris / USA Today Sports Images

Belichick is considered by many to be the best NFL head coach and defensive mind in history. His ability to remove the opposing team's top weapon is legendary, as he did in the AFC championship by limiting Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce to a combined four receptions for 65 yards. Among the trio of Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Todd Gurley, it remains to be seen whom Belichick will focus on, but he will certainly have some tricks up his sleeve.

 
2 of 20

C.J. Anderson, RB

C.J. Anderson, RB
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Much of the attention in the Rams offense is given to Todd Gurley, but Anderson has led the team in carries over the last four games while Gurley has nursed a knee injury. Anderson is more of a power back, which could wreak havoc on a Patriots defense that will need to be focused on the passing game.

 
3 of 20

Rex Burkhead, RB

Rex Burkhead, RB
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

Burkhead is New England's third running back, but he's now scored three times during the playoffs. A threat as a ball-carrier and receiver, it's become apparent that he will be a factor.

 
4 of 20

Gerald Everett, TE

Gerald Everett, TE
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Everett is L.A.'s second tight end, but he plays an important role for the team on third downs and in the red zone. He had a season-high 50 yards receiving during the NFC championship.

 
5 of 20

Adrian Clayborn, DE

Adrian Clayborn, DE
Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today Sports Images

Signed from Atlanta in the offseason, Clayborn had a disappointing 2.5 sacks during the regular season after a career-high 9.5 sacks last year. However, he recorded a sack vs. the Chargers in the divisional round and could see plenty of situational work in the Super Bowl.

 
6 of 20

Dante Fowler, DE

Dante Fowler, DE
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Acquired at midseason from the Jaguars, Fowler is a relative bust as the third overall pick in the 2015 draft. He had two sacks in eight regular-season games but has turned on the jets during the playoffs, with 1.5 sacks over the Rams' two playoff games.

 
7 of 20

Phillip Dorsett, WR

Phillip Dorsett, WR
David Butler II / USA Today Sports Images

A former first-round pick by the Colts, Dorsett still hasn't realized his potential. He had only 32 receptions during the regular season; however, he's scored a touchdown in each of the Patriots' last three games. Can the streak continue in the Super Bowl?

 
8 of 20

Johnny Hekker, P

Johnny Hekker, P
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images

The Rams punted only 43 times during the regular season, but Hekker remained one of the league's elite punters, averaging 46.3 yards per kick. He's also one of the league's top punters in pulling off fakes, which could be a factor in a Super Bowl that's expected to be close.

 
9 of 20

Lawrence Guy, DT

Lawrence Guy, DT
Rich Barnes / USA Today Sports Images

A top run stuff for the Patriots over the last two seasons, Guy had a career-high 59 tackles during the regular season. Lately he's been more of a factor as a pass rusher, with 1.5 sacks over the last three games.

 
10 of 20

Tyler Higbee, TE

Tyler Higbee, TE
Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

Higbee isn't a big part of the Rams offense, but when the ball comes his way, he usually makes good on the opportunity. He caught more than 70 percent of balls thrown his way during the regular season and scored a key touchdown in the NFC championship. He could be a critical red-zone target again in the Super Bowl.

 
11 of 20

Dont'a Hightower, LB

Dont'a Hightower, LB
David Butler II / USA Today Sports Images

Hightower was much more productive earlier in his career, but he's seen more snaps late in the year and plays a key role against opposing running backs. He will be tasked with covering Todd Gurley for part of Sunday's game, and his success could determine if the Patriots win their sixth Super Bowl during the Bill Belichick/Tom Brady era.

 
12 of 20

Josh Reynolds, WR

Josh Reynolds, WR
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Reynolds effectively replaced Cooper Kupp when the second-year wideout was lost for the season and has been a regular contributor since Week 11. He had 74 yards receiving during the NFC championship and could play a big role, with the Patriots defense usually doubling opposing teams' top wideouts.

 
13 of 20

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/KR

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/KR
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

Patterson has been a Swiss army knife for the Patriots this season, serving in his customary kick return and fourth wideout roles but also contributing in the running game. He's unlikely to see significant carries in the Super Bowl with the Patriots backfield fully healthy, but he will still fill an important role in the field-position game in what's expected to be a high-scoring contest.

 
14 of 20

Jojo Natson, KR/PR

Jojo Natson, KR/PR
Mike Dinovo / USA Today Sports Images

Natson gets most of his work as a punt returner for the Rams and has yet to break a long run this year. That doesn't mean he won't play a pivotal role, if L.A.'s defense can force the Patriots to punt a few times on Sunday.

 
15 of 20

Kyle Van Noy, LB

Kyle Van Noy, LB
Greg M. Cooper / USA Today Sports Images

Van Noy's stunts proved difficult for the interior of the Chiefs offensive line to stop, as he finished the game with two sacks and 10 tackles. He's become a key part of New England's defense with 92 tackles during the regular season, and he will need a big game to help stop the Rams.

 
16 of 20

Marcus Peters, CB

Marcus Peters, CB
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

While it hasn't been the case this season, Peters was a turnover machine in Kansas City during his first three NFL seasons. The cornerback had 19 interceptions and five forced fumbles in his first three seasons, and his nose for the ball could come up big against a Patriots team that is usually careful with the ball.

 
17 of 20

James White, RB

James White, RB
Greg M. Cooper / USA Today Sports Images

There aren't many backs in the league like White, who had 87 receptions during the regular season and 19 more in two playoff games for the Patriots. He's simply a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses and has a history of coming up big in the playoffs.

 
18 of 20

Sam Shields, CB

Sam Shields, CB
Kelvin Kuo / USA Today Sports Images

A key cornerback in sub-packages and in special teams, Shields is a former Pro Bowler who has revitalized his career this season after suffering concussion issues in Green Bay. With the Patriots often using their wideout depth, Shields will certainly find the field on defense again and gives his team an advantage when the Patriots have more than two wide receivers on the field.

 
19 of 20

Deatrich Wise, DE

Deatrich Wise, DE
Greg M. Cooper / USA Today Sports Images

Wise has missed both of New England's playoff games due to an ankle injury, and his availability for Super Bowl LIII is unclear. Now in his second NFL season, Wise had 4.5 sacks during the regular season and is a key situational pass rusher when he's available. If healthy, he has a chance to make an impact again for the Pats.

 
20 of 20

Greg Zuerlein, K

Greg Zuerlein, K
Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

Zuerlein arguably has the strongest leg in football, as he showed when he kicked a 57-yard, game-winning field goal in overtime of the NFC championship. During the last two seasons, Zuerlein has made 10-of-13 field goals from 50-plus yards, which would put the Rams in scoring position almost every time they make it to New England's side of the field.

Seth Trachtman

Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Expert’s League, and his work has appeared in hundreds of fantasy baseball and fantasy football newsstand and online publications

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