How Injuries Shaped the NFL Playoffs
Injuries can make or break an NFL team’s season – especially when it’s life or death in the playoffs. Below we explore some of the injuries that shaped the 2014 NFL playoffs and how they may impact Super Bowl XLIX.
Arizona Cardinals
On Wild Card Weekend, the 11-win Arizona Cardinals lost to the Carolina Panthers. Why? In part, the result was due to a rash of injuries to Cardinals quarterbacks. Carson Palmer suffered a torn ACL that sidelined him for the season in November. Then, in week 15, backup quarterback Drew Stanton suffered a sprain to the MCL and ACL tendons in his knee, leaving Ryan Lindley to take on the hungry Panthers.
Green Bay Packers
The biggest injury-related story for Green Bay throughout the playoffs was the health of star QB Aaron Rodgers. In week 17, Rodgers strained his calf and was forced to play through the injury with limited mobility. In an instant classic, where an obviously hobbled Rodgers threw for 19/34 for a touchdown and two interceptions, the Seattle Seahawks stunned the Packers in overtime and punched their ticket back to the big game.
Indianapolis Colts
Going into their matchup against the New England Patriots, the focus for many Indianapolis Colts fans was on starting cornerbacks, Vontae Davis (knee) and Greg Toler (groin), who were coming off of big games against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Davis had five passes knocked away to go along with eight tackles and Toler recorded an additional six tackles of his own. Both were then held out of practice the following Wednesday because of their respective injuries. They would suit up against the Patriots, however; but the Colts were no match for New England as they went on to win 45-7 en route to their appearance in Super Bowl XLIX.
New England Patriots
Although they were riddled with injuries throughout the playoffs, New England had little trouble making it to the big game on February 1, 2015. Center Bryan Stork (knee) and cornerback Brandon Browner(knee) left New England’s game vs. the Baltimore Ravens and did not return. They both sat out of practice the following week. Stork would not play against the Colts, but Browner was able to see game action.
Heading into the Super Bowl, Browner (knee), linebacker Dont’a Hightower (shoulder), defensive tackle Chris Jones (elbow), wide receiver Brandon LaFell (shoulder, toe), defensive lineman Sealver Siliga (foot) and Stork (knee) were all limited participants but are expected to play in the championship game.
Seattle Seahawks
Flying high on their way to Arizona for the Super Bowl, the Seattle Seahawks have had several injury scares along the way. Most notably, cornerback Richard Sherman (elbow) and safety Earl Thomas (shoulder) suffered injuries in the win over Green Bay; but head coach Pete Carroll says both will play against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. The two, arguably the best Seahawks on defense, are sore, but confident they will play in the NFL championship.
How do you think the playoffs were shaped by injury? Who is your pick to win Super Bowl XLIX on February 1? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think.
