The NFL is a brutal sport where injuries are almost inevitable. Every year, we see key players go down with injuries that can change the entire course of a team’s season. Injuries to key players can be devastating, especially in the playoffs. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how injuries to key players affect NFL playoff races and the various subtopics related to it.
Can One Injury Ruin a Playoff Run?
The answer to this question is yes. Injuries to key players can be catastrophic, especially if it’s a player who is crucial to a team’s success. For example, if a team loses its star quarterback, it can be difficult to recover. The quarterback is the leader of the team and losing him can have a trickle-down effect on the entire team. Other players may lose confidence, and the offense may become stagnant without their leader.
Will the Loss of a Starting QB Ruin Championship Aspirations?
The loss of a starting quarterback can definitely ruin a team’s championship aspirations. Quarterbacks are the most important position in football, and losing one can be devastating. Without a quarterback, a team’s offense can struggle to move the ball, and the defense may have to carry the load. While it’s possible for a backup quarterback to step up and lead the team, it’s not always guaranteed. Teams with championship aspirations need a quarterback who can make plays when it counts, and losing that player can be a huge setback.
How Many Games are Lost to Injuries Each Season?
According to a study by Football Outsiders, the average NFL team loses approximately 44 games per season due to injury. This equates to roughly 2.7 games per team. While this may not seem like a lot, it can have a significant impact on a team’s season. Losing a key player for just one game can make the difference between making the playoffs and missing them entirely.
5 Biggest Playoff Injuries in NFL History
There have been many playoff injuries in NFL history, but some stand out more than others. Here are five of the biggest playoff injuries in NFL history:
Joe Montana, 1990 NFC Championship Game – Montana suffered a serious injury to his throwing arm during the game, and the 49ers were unable to mount a comeback without him.
Terrell Davis, 1999 Divisional Playoff Game – Davis suffered a serious knee injury during the game, and the Broncos were unable to make it to the Super Bowl without him.
Carson Wentz, 2017 Divisional Playoff Game – Wentz suffered a torn ACL during the game, and the Eagles were forced to turn to backup Nick Foles. Foles stepped up and led the Eagles to their first-ever Super Bowl victory.
Rob Gronkowski, 2012 AFC Championship Game – Gronkowski suffered a serious arm injury during the game, and the Patriots were unable to win without him.
Derek Carr, 2016 Wild Card Game – Carr suffered a broken leg during the game, and the Raiders were unable to advance in the playoffs without him.
Wins Above Replacement and Its Effect on Teams
Wins above replacement (WAR) is a statistic that measures a player’s value to their team compared to a replacement-level player. In other words, it measures how many wins a player is worth to their team. This statistic can be helpful in determining the impact of an injury to a key player. If a player has a high WAR, their injury can have a significant impact on their team’s chances of winning.
For example, let’s say a quarterback has a WAR of 3.0. This means that they are worth approximately three wins to their team compared to a replacement-level quarterback. If that quarterback goes down with an injury, their team’s chances of winning will likely decrease significantly.
