One X-factor for each team in the NFL playoffs:

Eagles guard Nate Herbig

Philadelphia Eagles – Nate Herbig

It's fascinating to have this Philadelphia Eagles team as part of the playoff field. The team has found an identity, which is built on winning up front and punishing teams in the run game (number one in rushing yards), while their defense has excelled at limiting plays through the air (tied for second-fewest passes of 20+ yards).

Early in the season, it was a heavy dose of RPOs, where teams would fly down and force Hurts to pull the ball, which is why from weeks two to seven, they were one of the teams with the fewest amounts of running back carries.

At some point, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Shane Steichen realized they needed to take advantage of the movement that the O-line creates. Since then, Hurts has always seen clearer running and passing lane and the offense has been much more effective overall.

However, when you look at those five guys up front, the one who is a bit of a question mark – and the only one to play less than 50% of snaps – is Nate Herbig.

With the third-best grade by PFF for a guard over the last four weeks, there’s reason for optimism, but I want to see what happens when he’s asked to down-block on Vita Vea or anchor against a bull-rush from Ndamokung Suh on Sunday.