4 Playoff-Quality NFL Teams Who Have Been Ruined by Injury

Week 13 is in the books and playoff races are starting to take shape in the NFL. While some divisions have already been decided—the AFC West, AFC East and the NFC South—there is still plenty of jockeying to take place in the season's final four weeks.

Roster depth plays an integral part this time of year, as players begin to wear down and teams must find that proper balance of keeping guys fresh.

However, injuries are fluky and seem to impact some teams more than others.

Here are four playoff-quality teams that have been bitten by the injury bug.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has missed the last three weeks; the team went 1-2 in that span with Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch under center.

Last week's 23-20 road victory over the Baltimore Ravens might have saved Pittsburgh's season.

While Big Ben's absence has been the biggest blow to this team, other key players have missed several games or always seem to play with some sort of injury. Look no further than safety Troy Polamalu.

When on the field, Polamalu is one of the league's top defenders. Him playing in only three games this season has had an effect on the Steelers defense.

Pittsburgh's running game has also taken a hit with Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer all missing time at some point this season too.

Other notable injured players include offensive linemen Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Adams and Marcus Gilbert, defensive tackle Ziggy Hood, defensive backs Ryan Clark and Ike Taylor, wide receiver Antonio Brown and linebacker Lamar Woodley.

Though all but Gilbert have returned or should see the field again this season, the Steelers will have a hard time competing in the playoffs against healthier competition.

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are in the driver's seat in the AFC North, but Sunday's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers keeps things close enough that this team must keep their foot on the gas for now.

Teams would like to take it easy as the season winds down, but the AFC is too tight near the top and there is still plenty to play for.

The Ravens defense has been decimated with injuries this season, as linebacker Terrell Suggs has only played in six games this season and is now being diagnosed with a torn biceps—an injury that will, at a minimum, affect his ability to do his job.

Linebacker Ray Lewis is slated to return this season from a triceps injury and is targeting Week 15's matchup against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. But expectations must be tempered on his potential impact.

Baltimore's secondary has also been hobbled with cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb both out since mid-October. Smith is out indefinitely with a groin injury and Webb is out for the season with a torn ACL.

For a team that has thrived on the defensive side of the ball over the years, its offense must step up if a deep playoff run is in the cards for this year.

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers have nine players that will miss the rest of the season, including running back Cedric Benson, linebacker Nick Perry and offensive tackles Bryan Bulaga and Derek Sherrod—all key players on the roster.

Wide receiver Greg Jennings returned in just enough time to see Jordy Nelson hobbled by a hamstring injury.

Defensive back Charles Woodson could return in Week 14, but linebacker Clay Matthews is week-to-week with a hamstring injury and defensive tackle B.J. Raji is hampered by an ankle problem.

The Packers are one of the more injured teams in the NFL right now, but it's their high number of hobbled key players that will affect their ability to make a run in the NFC.

Washington Redskins

It is a wonder how the Washington Redskins are where there are at this point in the season. A 6-6 record is unbelievable with the types of injuries this team has had to deal with in 2012.

A total of 11 players are out for the season, including defensive lineman Adam Carriker, linebacker Brian Orakpo, running back Roy Helu, tight end Fred Davis, defensive back Brandon Meriweather and offensive tackle Jammal Brown.

Look no further than the Redskins if you want to discuss just how much injuries can impact a team's success. However, rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III is doing a wonderful job of keeping things together on the field.

The offense is playing well, but how much better could this team be with their full complement of defensive talent? With so many guys out for the season, we may not find out until 2013.

All injury information from rotoworld.com 

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