6 players who'll be biggest x-factors for Detroit Lions in Divisional Round vs. Buccaneers

3. QB Jared Goff

Goff is not as high on this list as many would expect, but he's still a big x-factor for the Lions this week. Back in Week 6 against Tampa Bay, down his top two running backs for most of the game, he went 30-for-44 for 353 yards and two touchdowns on his way to winning NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

The Buccaneers blitzed at the third-highest rate in the league during the regular season (40.1 percent), and they they turned up that dial against Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in the Wild Card Round (69.2 percent).

According to Pro Football Focus, rooted in how much his effectiveness drops off when he's pressured, Goff was blitzed the third-most times in the NFL this season (255 times). However, he was effective against the blitz (64.6 percent completion rate, 1,885 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions). That 1,885 yards is the most from any quarterback against the blitz. Only Brock Purdy threw more touchdowns against the blitz, and only Jordan Love completed more passes. 

Tampa Bay's blitz-heavy approach pressured Hurts a lot last week, but their 19.7 pressure rate during the regular season was in the bottom half of the league.

Goff will not wilt under the threat of Tampa Bay's blitz. Keeping him clean will be the key (more about that to come), and he needs to have a clean game once again.