Last Edited: August 6, 2019 at 6:37 AM
Abilities and Zone Abilities (the latter also called X-Factors) are new additions to the Madden NFL series starting with Madden NFL 20. Both are tweaks to how players perform at their position, but there are important differences between them.
Abilities are given to about 80 players who are denoted in-game as “Superstars.” These abilities are passive and always on. Most players have no abilities, some have one, and others may have multiple. In the screenshot below, we see Baker Mayfield is one such Superstar. He has two abilities: Last Ditch (which gives a better chance at getting a pass off in the act of being sacked) and Roaming Deadeye (which gives perfect pass accuracy when a pass is executed from outside the pocket).
Note that in Mayfield’s case, Roaming Deadeye’s boost is relative to the receiver rather than the game situation. Just because Mayfield throws a “perfectly accurate” pass doesn’t mean it can’t be deflected or intercepted. It just means that it will be delivered to his target’s hands assuming he’s not getting sacked or otherwise pressured. Depending on the target, even a perfectly accurate pass could still be dropped.
X-Factors are given to 50 players who are denoted in-game as X-Factor players. X-Factors are passive like abilities, but they are not always on. If a player has an X-Factor, they have only that one. Below we see Drew Brees who, in addition to having four abilities, also has the Fearless X-Factor. Fearless allows him to throw every pass with its accuracy unaffected by any defensive pressure.
When a game starts, X-Factors will be off; the player needs to perform specific actions during the game. As they do these actions, they will start to get “in the zone.” All X-Factor players will have an X under their feet on the field, and when they are fully in the zone, the X will start sparking and flashing to indicate it’s on. It can be turned off and on without limit during the game assuming the conditions are met.
The indicator that shows the charge level of your X-Factor players is subtle. It’s shown only during play calling screens and you may miss it in the heat of choosing a play. In the screenshot below, the Cincinnati Bengals are the active team. Look for the large red circle in the bottom-right corner. The interface shows the QB and HB both are X-Factor players and that neither have achieved any goals toward how they need to activate their X-Factors.
Note that the status of opposition players is not shown to you on the play calling screen. In the game shown above, the Baltimore Ravens have Earl Thomas III, the free safety, who is also an X-Factor player. However, because this game is a single-player one, Thomas’s status of X-Factor is not shown despite him being actively on the field.
Opposition X-Factor players are shown briefly during pre-snap coach cam. After a play is chosen and prior to the snap whether you’re on offense or defense, hold R2/RT to bring up the coach cam. You’ll see your X-Factor Players either on the left or right part of the screen, and the opponent’s X-Factor players on the other side.
While the coach cam is on, you can also tilt the right stick up or down to view the exact locations of any X-Factor players. Note that the play clock continues to tick down while you’re doing all this, so if you’re on offense you’ll need to make and decisions quickly so you’re not hit with a delay of game penalty.
On the main menu and on player cards in Franchise, you can see what conditions are needed to toggle the X-Factor. Continuing the Drew Brees example, notice below that he must make consecutive passes that travel at least five yards in the air. With enough consecutive passes done, his X-Factor will activate. However, the X-Factor will turn off as he takes sacks.
Note that if you play Face of the Franchise or Be a Player in a standard Franchise file, your character will always have an X-Factor. You can change it freely between games, and you can unlock more when you reach 85 OVR in each archetype for your position. Either way, you can view what a given ability or X-Factor will do before selecting it.
If you play a standard Franchise file in Be a Coach or Be an Owner mode, most players will not develop abilities or X-Factors. Players who already have them cannot change them.
From the main menu as seen above, you can view all the X-Factors and standard abilities of all players within the league. Head to the Settings tile (with the little gear), then select “View Superstar X-Factors.” In a Franchise file, there is no quick way to view the entire league like that, so instead you’ll need to look for their player cards.
Below is a list of all the players in Madden NFL 2020 who have X-Factors, which team their on, what position they play, and what their X-Factor does. The list is current based on the most recent downloadable roster as of August 5, 2019.
Arizona Cardinals[edit]
No X-Factor players
Atlanta Falcons[edit]
Julio Jones, WR
Double Me: Increases chance of aggressive receptions in single coverage
Activated by making catches of over 20 yards (including yards-after-catch) but needs to be targeted by passes consecutively
Baltimore Ravens[edit]
Earl Thomas III, FS
Zone Hawk: Increases the chance he’ll make a deflection or interception in zone coverage
Activated by forcing incompletions and not allowing yards
Buffalo Bills[edit]
No X-Factor players
Carolina Panthers[edit]
Luke Kuchly, MLB
Shutdown: Tightens coverage on WRs and increases the chance he’ll make an interception
Activated by forcing incompletions and not allowing yards
Christian McCaffrey, HB
Satellite: Increases chance of RAC and possession receptions in single coverage
Activated by making catches of over 10 yards (including yards-after-catch) but needs to be targeted by passes consecutively
Cam Newton, QB
Freight Train: Increases the chance the next tackle attempt will fail
Activated by scrambling for over 10 yards and not taking sacks
Chicago Bears[edit]
Khalil Mack, LOLB
Unstoppable Force: Quicker block shedding
Activated by sacking the QB and not allowing yards
Eddie Jackson, FS
Zone Hawk: Increases the chance he’ll make a deflection or interception in zone coverage
Activated by forcing incompletions and not allowing yards
Cincinnati Bengals[edit]
Geno Atkins, DT
Unstoppable Force: Quicker block shedding
Activated by sacking the QB and not allowing yards
AJ Green, WR
Double Me: Increases chance of aggressive receptions in single coverage
Activated by making catches of over 20 yards (including yards-after-catch) but needs to be targeted by passes consecutively
Cleveland Browns[edit]
Odell Beckham Jr, WR
Rac ‘Em Up: Increases chance of RAC receptions in single coverage
Activated by making catches of over 20 yards (including yards-after-catch) but needs to be targeted by passes consecutively
Myles Garrett, RE
Unstoppable Force: Quicker block shedding
Activated by sacking the QB and not allowing yards
Dallas Cowboys[edit]
Ezekiel Elliott, HB
First One Free: Significantly higher chance of success on the first juke or spin during a run or reception
Activated by rushing for over 10 yards and not taking tackles for losses
Byron Jones, CB
Shutdown: Tightens coverage on WRs and increases the chance he’ll make an interception
Activated by forcing incompletions and not allowing yards
DeMarcus Lawrence, LE
Unstoppable Force: Quicker block shedding
Activated by sacking the QB and not allowing yards
Denver Broncos[edit]
Von Miller, LOLB
Fearmonger: Pressures the QB (and lowering their accuracy) even while engaged by a blocker
Activated by sacking the QB and not allowing yards
Chris Harris Jr, CB
Shutdown: Tightens coverage on WRs and increases the chance he’ll make an interception
Activated by forcing incompletions and not allowing yards
Detroit Lions[edit]
No X-Factor players
Green Bay Packers[edit]
Aaron Rodgers, QB
Gambler: AI-controlled defenders of all positions cannot make interceptions, only deflections. Player-controlled defenders can still intercept with proper timing.
Activated by completing consecutive passes that fly at least 5 yards in the air and not taking sacks
Houston Texans[edit]
DeAndre Hopkins, WR
Double Me: Increases chance of aggressive receptions in single coverage
Activated by making catches of over 20 yards (including yards-after-catch) but needs to be targeted by passes consecutively
JJ Watt, LE
Fearmonger: Pressures the QB (and lowering their accuracy) even while engaged by a blocker
Activated by sacking the QB and not allowing yards
Indianapolis Colts[edit]
Andrew Luck, QB
Pro Reads: The first open WR during a passing play will be highlighted on-field if the QB stays in the pocket
Activated by completing consecutive passes that fly at least 5 yards in the air and not taking sacks
Jacksonville Jaguars[edit]
Calais Campbell, LE
Unstoppable Force: Quicker block shedding
Activated by sacking the QB and not allowing yards
Jalen Ramsey, CB
Shutdown: Tightens coverage on WRs and increases the chance he’ll make an interception
Activated by forcing incompletions and not allowing yards
Kansas City Chiefs[edit]
Travis Kelce, TE
Double Me: Increases chance of aggressive receptions in single coverage
Activated by making catches of over 20 yards (including yards-after-catch) but needs to be targeted by passes consecutively
Patrick Mahomes, QB
Bazooka: Maximum throwing distance is increased by 15 yards
Activated by completing passes that fly at least 30 yards in the air and not taking sacks
Los Angeles Chargers[edit]
Joey Bosa, LE
Unstoppable Force: Quicker block shedding
Activated by sacking the QB and not allowing yards
Melvin Gordon III, HB
First One Free: Significantly higher chance of success on the first juke or spin during a run or reception
Activated by rushing for over 10 yards and not taking tackles for losses
Derwin James, SS
Reinforcement: Increases his chance of shedding run blocks, tackling runners, and deflecting passes
Activated by forcing incompletions or performing tackles for loss, and not allowing yards
Philip Rivers, QB
Fearless: Negates pass accuracy penalty when pressured by the defense
Activated by completing consecutive passes that fly at least 5 yards in the air and not taking sacks
Los Angeles Rams[edit]
Aaron Donald, RE
Fearmonger: Pressures the QB (and lowering their accuracy) even while engaged by a blocker
Activated by sacking the QB and not allowing yards
Todd Gurley II, HB
First One Free: Significantly higher chance of success on the first juke or spin during a run or reception
Activated by rushing for over 10 yards and not taking tackles for losses
Miami Dolphins[edit]
No X-Factor players
Minnesota Vikings[edit]
Harrison Smith, SS
Reinforcement: Increases his chance of shedding run blocks, tackling runners, and deflecting passes
Activated by forcing incompletions or performing tackles for loss, and not allowing yards
Adam Thielen, WR
Double Me: Increases chance of aggressive receptions in single coverage
Activated by making catches of over 20 yards (including yards-after-catch) but needs to be targeted by passes consecutively
New England Patriots[edit]
Tom Brady, QB
Pro Reads: The first open WR during a passing play will be highlighted on-field if the QB stays in the pocket
Activated by completing consecutive passes that fly at least 5 yards in the air and not taking sacks
Stephon Gilmore, CB
Shutdown: Tightens coverage on WRs and increases the chance he’ll make an interception
Activated by forcing incompletions and not allowing yards
New Orleans Saints[edit]
Drew Brees, QB
Fearless: Negates pass accuracy penalty when pressured by the defense
Activated by completing consecutive passes that fly at least 5 yards in the air and not taking sacks
Cameron Jordan, LE
Unstoppable Force: Quicker block shedding
Activated by sacking the QB and not allowing yards
Alvin Kamara, HB
Satellite: Increases chance of RAC and possession receptions in single coverage
Activated by making catches of over 10 yards (including yards-after-catch) but needs to be targeted by passes consecutively
Michael Thomas, WR
Double Me: Increases chance of aggressive receptions in single coverage
Activated by making catches of over 20 yards (including yards-after-catch) but needs to be targeted by passes consecutively
New York Giants[edit]
Saquon Barkley, HB
First One Free: Significantly higher chance of success on the first juke or spin during a run or reception
Activated by rushing for over 10 yards and not taking tackles for losses
New York Jets[edit]
Le’Veon Bell, HB
First One Free: Significantly higher chance of success on the first juke or spin during a run or reception
Activated by rushing for over 10 yards and not taking tackles for losses
Oakland Raiders[edit]
Antonio Brown, WR
Rac ‘Em Up: Increases chance of RAC receptions in single coverage
Activated by making catches of over 20 yards (including yards-after-catch) but needs to be targeted by passes consecutively
Philadelphia Eagles[edit]
Fletcher Cox, DT
Fearmonger: Pressures the QB (and lowering their accuracy) even while engaged by a blocker
Activated by sacking the QB and not allowing yards
Pittsburgh Steelers[edit]
Ben Roethlisberger, QB
Pro Reads: The first open WR during a passing play will be highlighted on-field if the QB stays in the pocket
Activated by completing consecutive passes that fly at least 5 yards in the air and not taking sacks
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR
Double Me: Increases chance of aggressive receptions in single coverage
Activated by making catches of over 20 yards (including yards-after-catch) but needs to be targeted by passes consecutively
San Francisco 49ers[edit]
George Kittle, TE
Rac ‘Em Up: Increases chance of RAC receptions in single coverage
Activated by making catches of over 20 yards (including yards-after-catch) but needs to be targeted by passes consecutively
Richard Sherman, CB
Shutdown: Tightens coverage on WRs and increases the chance he’ll make an interception
Activated by forcing incompletions and not allowing yards
Seattle Seahawks[edit]
Bobby Wagner, MLB
Shutdown: Tightens coverage on WRs and increases the chance he’ll make an interception
Activated by forcing incompletions and not allowing yards
Russell Wilson, QB
Blitz Radar: Highlights on-field any non-linemen who are blitzing after the snap
Activated by scrambling for over 10 yards and not taking sacks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers[edit]
Mike Evans, WR
Double Me: Increases chance of aggressive receptions in single coverage
Activated by making catches of over 20 yards (including yards-after-catch) but needs to be targeted by passes consecutively
Tennessee Titans[edit]
No X-Factor players
Washington Redskins[edit]
No X-Factor players
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