NFL: Steven Jackson vs. Peyton Manning: Which Player's Absence Hurts Team More?

Steven Jackson and Peyton Manning are the absolute cornerstones of their franchises. They are the rocks upon which their teams have been built and both are injured in 2011.

While Jackson has been banged up throughout his career with the St. Louis Rams, he has typically fought through such injuries. This week, however, his is questionable (more likely doubtful) with a gimpy right quad and hasn't been practicing. He's likely to miss the Rams' Monday night tangle with the New York Giants.

Meanwhile, the evidence that the Indianapolis Colts need Manning in the lineup was laid bare for all to see in the team's 34-7 Week 1 loss to the Houston Texans. The Colts' offense looked horrendous in No. 18's absence, as Kerry Collins couldn't get things going. The four-time MVP will be out at least two months and could miss the year, meaning the Colts have become an afterthought in the AFC playoff picture.

Jackson is in his eighth year, and entering this season he has averaged nearly 1,135 yards and seven touchdowns rushing per year, to go along with an average of 47 catches for 381 yards and another touchdown. Those averages are very solid, and he has been a reliable force for the Rams. While his absence will be felt, it's nothing compared to what Manning means to the Colts.

Forget Manning's statistics, or his four MVPs, the man has essentially become the Colts' offensive coordinator and de-facto head coach. Until this season, he had started every game since Indianapolis took him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. He had become so reliable that the Colts—foolishly—never invested in a backup quarterback.

The Colts run a very complicated offensive scheme in which Manning's timing with his receivers, and his checks and audibles at the line are of paramount importance. It was clear in Week 1 that Collins couldn't just step in and take over. He fumbled three times, and completed just 16-of-31 passes.

Meanwhile, when Jackson went down, Cadillac Williams stepped in admirably and rushed 19 times for 91 yards. While he's not at Jackson's level, Williams proved that running backs are more replaceable than franchise quarterbacks are.

Jackson and Manning mean a tremendous amount to their teams both on and off the field, but Manning's importance to the Colts can't be understated. He's one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history and with him on the sideline, the Colts have gone from AFC contenders, to an easy win for opponents.

Manning is probably the most valuable player to his team in the entire NFL. Clearly, the Colts miss him more than that Rams could ever miss Jackson.