Pocket Presence: NFC Playoff Contenders

It's often said that a team with two quarterbacks really doesn't have any. With that spirit in mind, FanHouse will keep you updated weekly on NFL teams facing potential quarterback controversies.

We thought we'd take a short break from making fun of JaMarcus Russell to discuss something important: with just four games left in the regular season, which of the NFC's playoff contenders have the most depth at the game's most important position? Who would be in trouble if the unthinkable happened? Is there a team that would actually get better if they had to go to the backup?

Arizona Cardinals: Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart

The Cardinals already found out that Leinart can do a few things. He started against Tennessee while Warner recovered from a concussion. And while Leinart didn't throw a touchdown pass, he didn't make any awful throws or huge mistakes, either. It's been a process for the young backup, and it seems that he's learned a few things sitting behind Warner.

Since Leinart's never been asked to do anything significant in the playoffs, there would obviously be some uncertainty if he had to take over. However, the Cardinals have enough talent on the perimeter that they would be smart to take the training wheels off and just let Leinart work to get the ball out to Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston. Status update: Should be okay

Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo and Jon Kitna

Given the struggles they've had in recent weeks, it's easy to forget that Dallas is a division leader. The Cowboys have not moved the ball consistently, and Romo is a part of that. He can be a bit off with his accuracy at times, and his decision-making still needs some refining.

Kitna brings a ton of experience to the team, and he's about as tough as anyone, both mentally and physically. One expects he would do very well in the offense, given his experience and the way he's played for much of his career. Status update: Should be okay

Minnesota Vikings: Brett Favre and Tarvaris Jackson

The Vikings are in an interesting spot. Favre is 40, but has been nothing short of awesome in his latest NFL comeback. However, Brad Childress isn't an idiot -- he spent most of the summer getting Jackson ready to compete with Sage Rosenfels for the starting job, and all indications were that he had the inside track before Favre signed.

Jackson has never performed well under pressure, though, as evidenced most recently in last year's playoff loss to Philadelphia. If called upon, there is no certainty he would automatically be better from studying under Favre. Status update: Probably okay

New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees and Mark Brunell

Brees has been great. No question he has to be a favorite for the MVP award, and the offense he directs is practically unstoppable, especially indoors. As a backup, Brunell brings a wealth of experience, and the Saints certainly benefit from the fact that it's his second year in the system.

That said, Brunell hasn't exactly lit the world on fire in recent years when he's had a chance to play. Maybe this isn't such a great arrangement. Status update: Potentially shaky

Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb

In McNabb, the Eagles have both a talented and somewhat polarizing figure. When he's on and the team is winning, there are rarely any complaints about him. Of course, McNabb is to blame whenever Philadelphia loses.

Kolb showed himself more than capable of starting while McNabb was out last year. He's the clear-cut quarterback of the future for the Eagles, whenever that future actually happens. In the meantime, they've got a great young insurance policy should McNabb go down in December or January. Status update: Should be okay

Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers and Matt Flynn

This one is potentially critical. After all, Rodgers spent too much time on his back over the season's first half, and there's no guarantee he won't end up there again if the Packers run into a guy like Jared Allen. Rodgers has showed up on the injury report recently, but it's not been serious enough to tempt Green Bay to add a third quarterback.

That means Flynn is the guy if Rodgers gets hurt. He hasn't played well in the last two preseasons, but he won this job by default because Brian Brohm was that bad. If he had to play for any extended period of time, the Packers would likely be in trouble. Status update: Probably shaky

New York Giants: Eli Manning and David Carr

Manning's foot is the key. If he can stay healthy, he has proven he can play effectively with the injury. The team could run into some trouble if he can't, because Carr never really impressed anyone when given a chance to start.

That said, Carr has been the good soldier throughout, and he played well in an extended stint during a meaningless Week 17 game at Minnesota last year, as the Giants chose to rest Manning with their first-round bye secure. Status update: Probably okay