NFL Playoff Predictions: Injury-Prone Players Who Won't Stay Healthy

Injuries are a huge factor in the success and failure of teams in the NFL playoffs.

Manage them well and a Super Bowl can be attained, as evidenced by the Green Bay Packers last year, who had a number of key players on IR and even lost their top cornerback and a reliable receiver in the midst of the championship game.

If a team lets injuries affect them in a negative way and have ill-equipped backups, they will find an early exit from the postseason spotlight.

Here are two players that are at a high-risk for injury during the 2012 playoffs and their health could change their teams’ fortunes.

1. Ahmad Bradshaw

Bradshaw saw action in 12 games this season and has been hobbled with a foot injury he sustained early in the season.

He has had many problems with his feet over the course of his career. He actually has screws in both of them in order to stabilize broken bones that he suffered in the past.

If the New York Giants lean on him too heavily, he could start to break down and may be forced to miss some time during the game this week and possibly be forced to sit out in the divisional round, assuming they get past the Falcons today.

2. Ben Roethlisberger                                   

Big Ben has been ailing for over a month now with an ankle injury and looked absolutely atrocious over the past two games he has played in.

Back on December 19, Roethlisberger threw for 330 yards against the 49ers, but was hit on nearly every drop back and tossed three interceptions and no touchdowns. He was limping badly and was forced to sit against the Rams the following week.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ QB returned against the Cleveland Browns to close the season and didn’t fare much better. He was 23-40 for 221 yards and no touchdowns.

He’s not fully healthy right now and the Denver Broncos know that going into the game today. Look for them to constantly target his ankle and force him to make bad decisions while worrying about his health.

If they can force him out, they have a much better chance of winning the game.