NFL Predictions: Which Injuries Will Affect Games the Most?

There's no doubt that the most influential injury in the NFL will be the absence of Peyton Manning. The Colts are a completely different team with him on the sidelines, and things aren't looking up considering the Steelers are the next opponent for Kerry Collins and company.

Other injuries that are making headlines today are to Houston Texans tailback Arian Foster and Cleveland Browns tailback Peyton Hillis.

Houston is 2-0, despite having its workhorse tailback banged up for the past few weekends with a hamstring injury.

The Texans still have found a way to rush for 152.5 yards per game so far, mainly due to the fact Ben Tate has been such a formidable backup.

Tate has carried 47 times for 219 yards in two contests. He's even hitting an increased number of fantasy teams as a trendy fill-in player.

Foster's absence shouldn't have that much of a negative influence in the game. New Orleans needs to worry more about their pass defense against Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson.

Peyton Hillis' injury is another one that may not be too awful for the team. Cleveland has a very talented backup in Montario Hardesty, and Cleveland's running game has been lackluster with Hillis on the field.

Injuries that could have serious effects are the injuries to Oakland receivers Jacoby Ford and Louis Murphy. Oakland's receiving corps has been banged up for a few weeks now.

They need all of the firepower they can get in that passing offense, and the absence of a guy like Ford could be a hindrance to an already semi-one-dimensional offense.

Another receiving group that is in trouble is the Giants'.

Domenik Hixon has a torn ACL, and Mario Manningham has now been declared out for today's game against Philadelphia.

The Giants' formerly-deep receiving group is now going to be headed by Hakeem Nicks, and no one else. Steve Smith is in an Eagles uniform.

Suddenly Eli Manning has just one proven target to throw to. New York could really, really struggle today against a dominating pass defense.

Even against healthy receivers like Roddy White and Julio Jones, the Eagles defensive backs made sledding nearly impossible for the Falcons receivers last weekend.

Expect a tough day for Eli and the Giants offense.