Quarterback is the most important position on the field, something that becomes more obvious in the postseason.
Having a top quarterback gives you a chance to win every year, and the best quarterbacks can will an underperforming team to a pivotal win in the postseason.
Let's look at the top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL playoffs.
Top 10 Quarterbacks, NFL Playoffs:
| Rank | Player | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patrick Mahomes | Chiefs |
| 2 | Josh Allen | Bills |
| 3 | Lamar Jackson | Ravens |
| 4 | Jared Goff | Lions |
| 5 | Matthew Stafford | Rams |
| 6 | Jalen Hurts | Eagles |
| 7 | Baker Mayfield | Bucs |
| 8 | Jayden Daniels | Commanders |
| 9 | Sam Darnold | Vikings |
| 10 | Justin Herbert | Chargers |
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Top 10 Quarterbacks
1. Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes did not have the best overall season on this list, but his playoff experience and ability to win games makes him the clear #1. Mahomes has a 15-3 record in the playoffs along with 3 Super Bowl MVPs. This was generally considered a bad season for Mahomes, and he still finished top 10 in passing yards and passing touchdowns. He has also managed to secure the No. 1 seed in a competitive AFC conference. Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs will remain the top threat in the league until somebody dethrones them.
2. Josh Allen
Allen is No. 1 on our list and perhaps the greatest threat to the man ahead of him. He is the leading MVP candidate, and he has secured the No. 2 seed in the conference. Allen and Mahomes have provided some of the most exciting playoff games in recent history. One could argue that one of those games was decided solely by the fate of a coin toss. Yet, Allen’s 5-5 career playoff record which includes three losses to Mahomes’ Chiefs put him a tier below. This could be his year to change that narrative.
3. Lamar Jackson
Jackson might get snubbed of another MVP despite having more passing yards, rushing yards, and total touchdowns than the current favorite. He has also had fewer interceptions and a better QBR this season than Allen. The Ravens superstar is a two-time league MVP who had his team in the conference championship just one year ago. This makes the debate between Lamar and Allen tricky. In the playoffs, Jackson has a very poor 2-4 record. He has lost a playoff game to both Allen and Mahomes so that places him as the QB3 on this list.
4. Jared Goff
Goff is a quarterback who was considered more of a “game manager” until this season. The former first overall pick by the Rams has a 5-4 playoff record including a run to the Super Bowl. He has been absolutely spectacular this season, finishing top five in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and QBR. Goff is the best quarterback in the NFC this season.
5. Matthew Stafford
Another solid season from Stafford, who led his team to five straight wins to win the division and get into the playoffs. Stafford is a seasoned veteran with a Super Bowl ring to his name. Outside of the Super Bowl run, Stafford is 0-4 with his most recent loss coming at the hands of Goff and the Detroit Lions. The question remains whether Stafford has enough gas left in the tank.
6. Jalen Hurts
Hurts is efficient and a proven winner in this league. He has led the Eagles to the No. 2 seed in their conference, and they look to be one of the top Super Bowl threats. Hurts is 2-3 in his playoff career. His narrative would look a bit different if the team had not collapsed after a 10-1 start to their 2023 season. He had his team just a few points away from the Lombardi trophy two seasons ago, but the team fell short. Now, the Eagles are back with an even better supporting cast and a chance to take it all.
7. Baker Mayfield
The only reason Mayfield is not higher on this list is because he has never made it past the Divisional Round. It has been an MVP-caliber season stat wise for Mayfield, who lost many of his top weapons during the season. He is an energetic leader in the locker room and capable of competing with any quarterback on this list. Mayfield is 2-2 in his playoff career with one of those victories coming during his time with the Cleveland Browns. Maybe Mayfield can play spoiler and insert his Bucs into the Super Bowl conversation.
8. Jayden Daniels
Daniels has had one of the most impressive rookie seasons ever. The Commanders were the second worst team in the league last season and now they find themselves with a 12-5 record and the sixth seed in the NFC. Daniels broke the rookie QB rushing record formerly held by Robert Griffin III. He’s also impressed with clutch game winning drives against the Eagles and the Falcons. Daniels has shown that he has the clutch gene necessary to win playoff games. Let’s see if he can pull one off against the Buccaneers in Tampa.
9. Sam Darnold
It is hard to believe, but Darnold finished top five in passing yards and passing touchdowns this season. If this had been his rookie season, everybody would think that Darnold was the next Mahomes. Darnold’s time with the Jets certainly puts doubt in the eyes of NFL fans. On top of that, he and his Vikings put together an abysmal performance in the biggest game of their season against the Lions. They now must travel to Los Angeles to face a red hot Rams team with an elite veteran quarterback.
10. Justin Herbert
Herbert has been outstanding. It is hard to imagine that he is this low on the list, but every other quarterback either had better stats, much more playoff experience, or a combination of both. The Chargers have only made the playoffs once with Herbert, and they lost to the Jaguars of all teams. This feels like the opportunity for Herbert and the Chargers to break out with a playoff run. Jim Harbaugh has done really well with the team, and they have a relatively easy matchup in Houston for Wild Card Weekend. Can Herbert rise to the occasion?
