The X-Factor Abilites have been around since NFL Madden 20. They are also back in the new Madden NFL 21. In the following we will tell you which X-Factor abilities are in the game and which new abilities there are.
–
Languages:German English
Release:28.08.2020
Platforms:Windows PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X
—–
Many athletes know the saying when someone says that a player is “in the zone”. The X-Factor abilities in Madden NFL 21 are meant to reflect just that. These special skills can be unlocked while playing by completing tasks tailored to the position and player. As soon as the corresponding player is “in the zone”, he can have a major influence on the course of the game.
Receiver Michael Thomas also has an X-Factor Ability in Madden NFL 21.
–
In addition to the ratings of the teams and the players, we now also know the X-Factor abilities and some of the players who have them.
All X-Factor abilities at a glance
We list all of the X-Factor Abilities. For the sake of clarity, we divide the respective skills of the specific position group. If you want to jump directly to a certain position with your X-Factor-Abilities, just click on the corresponding link:
Alle Quarterback X-Factor-Abilities
X-Factor-Ability: Bazooka
Effect: Maximum throw range increased by 15 yards (80 yards total)
Player: Patrick Mahomes – Kansas Ctiy Chiefs
Condition to start: A completed pass more than 30 yards in the air. Yards after catch are not included.
Knockout condition: A sack.
—
X-Factor-Ability: Pro Reads
Effect: Highlight the first free receiver while standing in the pocket. Also ignores the defensive pressure in the pocket.
Player: Tom Brady – Tampa Bay Buccaneers + Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints
Condition to start: Three consecutive completed passes in a row with more than 5 yards in the air.
Knockout condition: A sack.
X-Factor-Ability: Gambler
Effect: Faster throwing speed and cannot be intercepted by AI defenders.
Player: Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers
Condition to start: Three consecutive completed passes in a row with more than 5 yards in the air.
Knockout condition: Two incomplete passports.
X-Factor-Ability: Truzz
Effect: No tackle results in a fumble.
Player: Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens
Condition to start: Five runs greater than 1 yard.
Knockout condition: A tackle for loss of space.
X-Factor-Ability: Blitz Radar
Effect: Highlights speed cameras after the ball is caught.
Player: Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks
Condition to start: Three scrambles gaining more than 10 yards of space.
Knockout condition: Two sacks.
All Runningback X-Factor Abilities
—
X-Factor-Ability: First One Free
Effect: Increases the fakeout rate on the next juke, spin or hesi move.
Player: Dalvin Cook – Minnesota Vikings + Saquon Barkley – New York Giants
Condition to start: Three runs over 10 yards.
Knockout condition: Tackle for loss of space.
—
X-Factor-Ability: Freight Train
Effect: Increases the chance of breaking the next tackle.
Effect: High success rate with the next three stiff arms or trucks.
Player: Nick Chubb – Cleveland Browns
Condition to start: Three runs over 10 yards.
Knockout condition: Tackle for loss of space.
X-Factor-Ability: Ankle Braker
Effect: Increases the fakeout rate for skill moves after a catch.
Player: Christian McCaffrey
Condition to start: Three catches over 10 yards.
Knockout condition: A drop, an incompletion or three consecutive passes without being thrown at (no targets).
Wide Receiver und Tight Ends X-Factor-Abilities
X-Factor-Ability: Double Me
Effect: Win more aggressive catches against single coverage.
Player: Adam Thielen – Minnesota Vikings + Davante Adams – Green Bay Packers – Deandre Hopkins – Arizona Cardinals + Julio Jones – Atlanta Falcons + Mike Evans – Tampa Bay Buccaneers + Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs
Condition to start: Two catches more than 20 yards in the air. Yards after catch are not included.
Knockout condition: A drop, an incompletion or three consecutive passes without being thrown at (no targets).
—
X-Factor-Ability: Rac ‘Em Up
Effect: Win more RAC catches against single coverage.
Player: Stefon Diggs – Buffalo Bills + Tyreek Hill – Kansas City Chiefs
Condition to start: Three catches over 20 yards.
Knockout condition: A drop, an incompletion or three consecutive passes without being thrown at (no targets).
X-Factor-Ability: Max Security
Effect: Increased success rate for possession catches.
Player: Amari Cooper – Dallas Cowboys + Keenan Allen – Los Angeles Chargers + Michael Thomas – New Orleans Saints
Condition to start: Four consecutive catches.
Knockout condition: A drop, an incompletion or three consecutive passes without being thrown at (no targets).
X-Factor-Ability: Yac‘ Em Up
Effect: Increased the chance of breaking the first tackle after a catch.
Player: George Kittle – San Francisco 49ers
Condition to start: Three catches over 20 yards.
Knockout condition: A drop, an incompletion or three consecutive passes without being thrown at (no targets).
Defense X-Factor-Abilities
Unfortunately no personalized card received:
Khalil Mack – Chicago Bears
Myles Garrett – Cleveland Browns
T.J. Watt – Pittsburgh Steelers
—
X-Factor-Ability: Unstoppable Force
Effect: Victories in the pass rush lead to faster block defense.
Player: Cameron Jordan – New Orleans Saints + Danielle Hunter – Minnesota Vikings + DeMarcus Lawrence – Dallas Cowboys + Khalil Mack – Chicago Bears + Myles Garrett – Cleveland Browns + T.J. Watt – Pittsburgh Steelers
Condition to start: Two sacks from the defense line.
Knockout condition: Allowed 10 yards of opposing offense.
X-Factor-Ability: Fearmonger
Effect: Chance to put the QB under pressure even though the player is in a block.
Player: Chandler Jones – Arizona Cardinals + Fletcher Cox – Philadelphia Eagles + Von Miller – Denver Broncos
Condition to start: Two sacks from the defense line.
Knockout condition: Allowed 20 yards of opposing offense.
—
X-Factor-Ability: Relentless
Effect: Rush moves no longer cost points.
Player: J.J. Watt – Huston Texans + Nick Bosa – San Francisco 49ers
Condition to start: A sack or tackle with a loss of space.
Knockout condition: Allowed 20 yards of opposing offense.
X-Factor-Ability: Blitz
Effect: All resistance bars of the opposing blockers are empty.
Player: Aaron Donald – Los Angeles Rams
Condition to start: Two sacks of the defensive line.
Knockout condition: A played down.
X-Factor-Ability: Run Stuffer
Effect: Block defense is more effective in opposing runs.
Player: Calais Campbell – Baltimore Ravens
Condition to start: Two tackles with loss of space.
Knockout condition: Allowed 30 yards of the opposing offense.
X-Factor-Ability: Momentum Shift
Effect: All opponents flying lose their progress to the zone (X-Factor Ability).
Player: Chris Jones – Kansas City Chiefs
Condition to start: Two sacks of defensive lines or three hit-stick tackles.
Knockout condition: A played down.
X-Factor-Ability: Zone Hawk
Effect: Mehr Interceptions in Zove Coverage.
Player: Devin McCourty – New England Patriots
Condition to start: Two forced incompletions.
Knockout condition: Allowed 30 yards of the opposing offense.
X-Factor-Ability: Bottleneck
Effect: Wins press attempts dominantly in man coverage.
Player: Jalen Ramsey – Los Angeles Rams
Condition to start: Two forced incompletions.
Knockout condition: Allowed 30 yards of the opposing offense.
X-Factor-Ability: Reinforcement
Effect: Better chance of fending off run blocks and interrupting catches.
Player: Tyrann Mathieu – Kansas City Chiefs + Harrison Smith – Minnesota Vikings + Derwin James Jr. – Los Angeles Chargers
Condition to start: Two tackles for loss or two incompletions.
Knockout condition: Allowed 20 yards of opposing offense.
X-Factor-Ability: Shutdown
Effect: Tighter coverage and more interceptions for contested catches.
Player: Jaire Alexander – Green Bay Packers + Richard Sherman – San Francisco 49ers + Stephon Gilmore – New England Patriots + Tre’Davious White
Condition to start: Two forced incompletions.
Knockout condition: Allowed 30 yards of the opposing offense.
—
X-Factor-Ability: Avalanche
Effect: Hit-Stick-Tackle (“downhill”) force a fumble.
Knockout condition: Allowed 30 yards of the opposing offense.
Some X-Factor abilities and player ratings will be updated by Electronic Arts during the season. Some are currently still listening to a bit of surgery (“overpowered”). But we’ll have to wait and see how they actually play out. Which skills do you find most interesting? Let us know in the comments, we are interested in your opinion!
