With Jay Cutler expected to miss the last six games of the season, the Bears are stuck with second-stringer Caleb Hanie or newly signed Josh McCown to pilot the offense during their playoff push. Chicago hasn’t been the only team forced to call upon an unproven backup to perform in a critical part of the season: 5. David Garrard, Jaguars (2005) »
The Jaguars were 7-3 when Byron Leftwich broke his ankle, but Garrard relieved him in a win over the Cardinals and went 4-1 as the starter to help Jacksonville finish 12-4 and make the playoffs.
4. Chris Simms, Buccaneers (2005) »
Brian Griese led the Bucs to a 5-1 record before going out with torn knee ligaments. Simms, a third-year player with only two previous career starts, helped Tampa Bay finish 11-5.
3. Anthony Wright, Ravens (2003) » When rookie starter Kyle Boller was lost, it hardly seemed like a lost season for the Ravens. At 5-4, Baltimore just needed someone to hand the ball off to Jamal Lewis and let a dominant defense do the rest. Wright guided the Ravens to five wins in seven games and a playoff spot.
2. Koy Detmer/A.J. Feeley, Eagles (2002) »
The Eagles were 7-3 when Donovan McNabb suffered a broken right ankle that ended his season. Detmer finished with a 121.8 passer rating in a win over the 49ers before dislocating his elbow. Feeley went 4-1 to help Philadelphia finish 12-4.
1. Damon Huard, Dolphins (1999) » He started the season as Miami’s holder on the field goal unit, but Huard replaced an injured Dan Marino and went 4-1 before Marino returned.
– Scott Gleeson
