NFL Playoff Picture: 6 Ways Injuries Have Shaped This NFL Postseason

This year, injuries have been a major factor in determining both the teams that made the playoffs and the teams that have advanced thus far.

And in 2011, we learned that the loss of just one player can cause a lot of destruction to a team’s playoff hopes.

The Indianapolis Colts not only fell out of the playoff picture after losing Peyton Manning for the year, they bottomed out with a 2-14 record after a 10-6 campaign in 2010.

Oakland looked like the eventual 2011 AFC West champions until they lost Jason Campbell and Darren McFadden for the season.

And the Bears, well…you know.

The first weekend of playoff football proved injuries would continue to play a part in determining this season’s Super Bowl Champion.

Here are six ways that injuries have influenced the NFL postseason thus far, with some stories that will continue to play out.

The Houston Texans Must Win with Their 3rd String QB

The Texans were able to secure their first playoff win in franchise history. And they did it with rookie QB T.J. Yates, the third string QB at the start of the season.

Franchise QB Matt Schaub has not played since Week 10, against the Tampa Bay Bucs. He was ruled out for the season with a Lisfranc injury shortly thereafter. Schaub was having a stellar season, having thrown for almost 2,500 yards with a quarterback rating of 96.8.

Matt Leinart got the start in Week 11 and looked capable of running the offense. He was 10-of-13 passing with a TD before injuring his shoulder. He was later ruled out for the season as well.

T.J. Yates took over and the Texans hung on to win that game, as well as their next two with Yates at the helm.

The Texans limped into the playoffs though, losing their last three games.

Not much was asked of Yates in Wild Card Weekend, but he turned in a solid performance against the Bengals, going 11-of-20 with a TD and no INTs.

The Steelers Were the Walking Wounded

The Steelers’ injury pregame report was basically a list of their top players (outside of the WR position).

Ben Roethlisberger (ankle) hung tough and made some big plays to keep the Steelers in the game against the Broncos.

Others listed on the pregame injury report were former or current Pro Bowlers Troy Polamalu, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley. They all suited up and played against the Broncos.

Center Maurkice Pouncey and RB Rashard Mendenhall were ruled out.

Pouncey was injured in last year’s AFC Championship Game and was unable to play in the Steelers’ Super Bowl loss to the Packers. He is one of the best centers in the league and was certainly missed after having a great regular season in 2011.

Mendenhall’s absence was also significant as he was the team’s No. 1 back and leading rusher. The Steelers were thin at running back with just Isaac Redman and rookie John Clay active in their game against the Broncos.

Redman did a good job filling in, however, gaining 121 yards on over seven yards per carry.

In addition, starting safety Ryan Clark did not play against the Denver Broncos due to a sickle cell condition that is aggravated at high altitude.

During the game, NT Casey Hampton and DE Brett Keisel were injured early for the Steelers and did not return.

Despite all the injuries, the Steelers still had a chance to win the game in the final moments on a Hail Mary, but Roethlisberger was sacked and time expired.

Of course, you know what happened in OT.

There Will Be Tebow Time

Because of the Raiders’ injuries in the regular season (Jason Campbell, Darren McFadden, most of their receivers), the Broncos were able to walk away with the AFC West title with a record of only 8-8.

And because they faced a beat-up Steelers squad on Wild Card Weekend, the Broncos find themselves advancing to a divisional playoff matchup with the Patriots.

Perhaps there was some divine intervention for the Tebow-led Broncos. But I don’t buy that.

There is no denying, however, that the Broncos benefited from the misfortune of other teams and their injuries in making it this far.

The Broncos have been this season's opportunists.

Falcons Struggled Against the Pass Without Brent Grimes

The Atlanta Falcons struggled against the pass on Wild Card Weekend and the Giants advanced because of it. Eli Manning picked apart the Falcons' secondary, throwing for 277 yards and three TDs.

Brent Grimes was a Pro Bowl alternate at corner in 2010. His presence was clearly missed in the Falcons' loss. Eli Manning beat up on the Falcons' secondary, including Grimes’ fill-in, Dominique Franks.

However, the Falcons struggled against the run as well. They gave up 172 yards rushing to the Giants. The Falcons were ranked sixth against the rush in the regular season, giving up only 97 yards per game.

There Were No Bears, Only Lions and Bengal Tigers

The Bears were looking like a top contender in Week 11. They had just beaten San Diego and had a record of 7-3. But QB Jay Cutler broke his thumb in that victory.

Cutler was eventually placed on IR, and the Bears lost five-straight before winning the finale to finish at 8-8, but still out of the playoffs.

Perhaps the Bears could have held on to a playoff spot without Cutler, but when Matt Forte went down for the season in Week 13 against the Chiefs, the Bears' season was lost.

Green Bay Packers Could Be Less Dynamic

The Packers could be without two of their most dynamic playmakers, one on each side of the ball. WR Greg Jennings and CB Charles Woodson are listed as questionable for the Packers' divisional playoff game against the New York Giants.

The Packers haven’t exactly struggled to put points on the board without Greg Jennings, but he is a major key in opening up routes underneath for Jordy Nelson and Co.

As it’s a knee injury, there is a question if Jennings returns, will he be the same receiver? Or will he be used more as a diversion?

Either way, if the Packers get through the Giants, their biggest defensive test could be waiting in the 49ers.

On the defensive side, Charles Woodson may not be the cover corner he once was, but he’s still an important piece in the Green Bay defense. He is a playmaker and has good ball skills.

He contributes in run support as well. His 74 tackles (62 solo) are an impressive addition to his seven INTs.