NFL Playoff Picture: Grading Each Team's Depth

If these playoff teams plan on making a run, depth is going to be an issue. Another month of football is undoubtedly going to lead to more injuries, especially since these teams are already 16 games into the season.

Let's take a look at how teams fare in terms of depth, should they sustain an injury as they advance in the tournament. 

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have some depth at the skill positions with Bernard Scott and Brandon Tate. They also have Donald Lee in case Gresham sustains an injury. 

Most of their depth lies on the defensive side, especially along the line. When you have guys like Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson rotating with Geathers and Rucker at the end position, it gives you a ton of depth to keep guys fresh. Pat Sims is a good backup at defensive tackle. 

However, they have sustained some injuries to their secondary, where they are most vulnerable. 

Grade: B-

Houston Texans

The Texans are this year's testament to the importance of depth, as they have sustained more key injuries than any other team. 

Should they be unlucky enough to have yet another injury to their quarterback, Jake Delhomme showed that he can do just about everything Yates can do. They are stacked at running back with Foster, Tate and Ward. Getting Andre Johnson back gives them more depth at receiver, and they have a good backup to Owen Daniels with Dreessen. 

None of their backups on defense get you excited, but they have played without guys like Jonathan Joseph before and have been very successful. Their backups looked more than competent when they played in a meaningless game against Tennessee last week. 

Grade: A-

New Orleans Saints

Losing Mark Ingram has hurt their depth at tailback, but they are stacked enough at the position to do more than just get by. Pierre Thomas, Chris Ivory and Darren Sproles make up quite a stable of backs. 

Of course, losing Brees would be catastrophic, no matter who the backup is. 

The possibility of losing Lance Moore hurts this receiving corps, but a combination of Colston, Meachem, Henderson and Roby is more than competent. They don't have a whole lot behind Jimmy Graham at tight end. 

On defense, Shaun Rogers is a good player to have in the rotation. But outside of Porter, Greer and Robinson, this secondary is largely untested. 

Grade: B-

Detroit Lions

I like their receiver depth with Megatron, Burelson and Titus Young, and they have two quality pass-catching tight ends with Pettigrew and Scheffler. They have good depth at quarterback with Shaun Hill. 

However, running back has been an issue all season. Should Kevin Smith sustain another injury, this team is going to struggle without any kind of running game. 

They have one of the deepest defensive line rotations in football, with Fairley and Hill rotating in for Suh and Williams. They have competent backups like McDonald and Smith in the secondary, but they can also be exposed against good offenses.

Grade: B

New York Giants

Overall, I like the depth on the Giants. They have one of the deepest defensive line rotations in football. Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul is a great group of pass-rushing ends. Deion Grant is a capable safety, and Antrel Rolle can play corner should they lose one, or if Prince Amukamara continues to struggle.

Victor Cruz has added another layer of depth to the Giants, sending Mario Manningham to the third spot. 

The problems for the Giants on defense lie at linebacker, as Mark Herzlich is out. 

Offensively, another injury to the offensive line would cause a lot of problems. They also don't have a lot at tight end behind the average Jake Ballard. 

Grade: B+

Atlanta Falcons

On offense, the depth is at the backs and receivers, where guys like Harry Douglas and Jason Snelling are more than capable of stepping into a starting role. However, a loss on the offensive line or at tight end could be very problematic. 

They have some depth along the defensive line with Peria Jerry and Kroy Biermann, but there is little depth elsewhere along the defense, particularly in the secondary. 

Grade: C+

Pittsburgh Steelers

The depth of the Steelers is certainly being tested right now with their mounting injuries. Their running back depth took a hit with the loss of Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore. Their line is pretty thin as it is, especially with Maurkice Pouncey out. 

What the Steelers do have going for them is their great depth at receiver with Cotchery, Sanders, Brown and Wallace. 

This is also the first time since Week 4 that the Steelers will have their two starting outside linebackers, Lamarr Woodley and James Harrison, on the field at the same time. 

Grade: C-

Denver Broncos

The Broncos added some depth on the offensive line by signing Ryan Harris this week. For such a run-heavy offense, their depth at receiver is adequate, even though they only carry four receivers. They have shown that they can survive a loss of Willis McGahee.

This defense, however, had a significant drop off when they lost Von Miller against the Vikings. Losing Dawkins for the year puts more strain on an average secondary. 

Grade: C