According to NFL Network research, in the entire 2014 season, nine teams had to start backups because of injuries to their regular starting quarterback. In 2013, it was 10 teams.

In Week 11, there could be 11 teams using backup quarterbacks.

"And you know they have put so much effort into protecting defenseless quarterbacks and police it well now," one AFC team's personnel executive said. "It's almost a heightened sensitivity to it."

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys have even started two different backup quarterbacks.