The 2024 NFL playoffs featured 14 quarterbacks who led their teams to the postseason. From MVP winners to rookie sensations, this comprehensive analysis examines each signal-caller’s performance, strengths, weaknesses, and how their supporting cast affected their success.
Rankings of All 14 Playoff Quarterbacks
1. Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
2024 Regular Season Stats: 67.5% completion, 3,928 yards, 26 TD, 11 INT, 307 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD
Playoff Record: 11-3 career, reached AFC Championship
Win Percentage: 15-1 (93.8%) in 2024 regular season
Brief Summary: Despite his “worst” regular season by his standards, Mahomes still led the Chiefs to a franchise-record 15 regular season wins and the #1 AFC seed. He failed to pass for 4,000 yards for the first time in his career and set career-lows in yards per attempt (6.8) and passing touchdowns (26).
Strengths:
- Unmatched clutch performance and playoff experience
- Elite decision-making under pressure
- Exceptional mobility and arm talent
- Championship pedigree with three Super Bowl titles
Weaknesses:
- Lack of consistent receiving weapons beyond Travis Kelce
- Never had his top-three receivers healthy at the same time, with supposed top receivers Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown missing significant time
- Decreased deep ball accuracy compared to previous years
How Defense/O-Line Affected Performance: Kansas City’s defense allowed them to play with leads consistently, enabling a more conservative offensive approach. The offensive line provided adequate protection, though Mahomes was sacked 36 times.
2. Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
2024 Regular Season Stats: 28 passing TD, 12 rushing TD, career-low 6 INT, 13-4 record
Playoff Record: 9-6 career, reached AFC Championship
Win Percentage: 76.5% in 2024 regular season
Brief Summary: Allen won his first NFL MVP award in 2024, becoming the first Bills player to win it since 1991. He led a more balanced offense while dramatically reducing turnovers, throwing a career-low six interceptions and taking just 14 sacks.
Strengths:
- Elite dual-threat capability with rushing and passing
- Exceptional clutch performance – the Bills scored 30+ points in 12 games, tied for second-most in NFL history
- Improved decision-making and reduced turnovers
- Strong leadership and ability to elevate teammates
Weaknesses:
- Still struggles against elite defenses in big moments
- Limited receiving corps beyond core players
- Inconsistent accuracy on intermediate routes
How Defense/O-Line Affected Performance: Buffalo’s offensive line was exceptional, allowing just 14 sacks (fewest in NFL) and ranking 3rd in pass block win rate. The Bills became the first team in Super Bowl era with fewer than 15 sacks allowed and fewer than 15 giveaways.
3. Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens
2024 Regular Season Stats: Career-high passing yards and touchdowns, nearly 1,000 rushing yards, 12-5 record
Playoff Record: 3-4 career, lost in Divisional Round
Win Percentage: 70.6% in 2024 regular season
Brief Summary: Jackson had arguably his best overall season, earning his second MVP award in a near-unanimous decision. He broke Michael Vick’s record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in NFL history and led the Ravens to the AFC North title.
Strengths:
- Unmatched dual-threat ability
- Excellent playoff performance vs Steelers with 92.9 PFF grade, his best complete playoff game yet
- Elite rushing ability that opens up entire offense
- Improved passing accuracy and decision-making
Weaknesses:
- Historically poor playoff record (3-4)
- Concerns about ability to play as pure pocket passer when run game is contained
- Struggles in high-pressure playoff moments
How Defense/O-Line Affected Performance: Strong defense helped Ravens accumulate 7,224 total offensive yards (franchise record). The running game dominance with Derrick Henry created favorable situations for Jackson.
4. Jared Goff – Detroit Lions
2024 Regular Season Stats: 72.4% completion (career-high), 4,629 yards, 37 TD, 12 INT, 15-2 record
Playoff Record: 5-4 career, lost in Divisional Round
Win Percentage: 88.2% in 2024 regular season
Brief Summary: Goff continued to enhance his game, throwing for a career-high 37 touchdowns with a 72.4% completion rate. As the best signal caller on the NFC side, he led the Lions to their first #1 seed in franchise history.
Strengths:
- Elite accuracy and completion percentage
- Strong pocket presence and decision-making
- Excellent chemistry with receiving corps
- Proven big-game experience
Weaknesses:
- Limited mobility outside the pocket
- Struggles when protection breaks down
- Questions about performance against elite pass rush
How Defense/O-Line Affected Performance: Excellent offensive line protection allowed Goff to operate from clean pocket. Strong defense kept games close, reducing pressure for explosive offensive performances.
5. Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles
2024 Regular Season Stats: 3,858 yards, 23 passing TD, 15 rushing TD, 12-5 record
Playoff Record: 5-3 career, won Super Bowl
Win Percentage: 70.6% in 2024 regular season
Brief Summary: Despite dealing with a bruised knee for much of the season, Hurts threw for a career-high 3,858 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for 605 yards and 15 touchdowns. He’s established as one of the best two-way quarterbacks in the NFL.
Strengths:
- Elite rushing ability and red zone threat
- Proven playoff performer and champion
- Strong leadership and clutch gene
- Excellent with elite supporting cast
Weaknesses:
- Inconsistent passing accuracy and struggles threatening downfield, becoming “too much of a mono threat”
- Relies heavily on elite surrounding talent
- Inconsistent season-long performance
How Defense/O-Line Affected Performance: Elite offensive line and running game created favorable situations. Strong defense allowed for more conservative approach when needed.
6. Justin Herbert – Los Angeles Chargers
2024 Regular Season Stats: 3,870 yards, 23 TD, 3 INT, 11-6 record
Playoff Record: 1-2 career, lost in Wild Card
Win Percentage: 64.7% in 2024 regular season
Brief Summary: Despite limited offensive weapons, Herbert assembled a solid season with 3,870 yards, 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Under Jim Harbaugh’s leadership, he showed improved decision-making and efficiency.
Strengths:
- Elite arm talent and accuracy
- Exceptional decision-making (only 3 INTs)
- Strong pocket presence
- High football IQ
Weaknesses:
- Limited receiving weapons and offensive support
- Lack of playoff success and experience
- Conservative offensive system limits explosive plays
How Defense/O-Line Affected Performance: Strong defense kept games close and reduced pressure for explosive offensive performances. Adequate line protection allowed Herbert to operate efficiently.
7. Baker Mayfield – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2024 Regular Season Stats: 4,500 yards, 41 TD, 16 INT, 10-7 record
Playoff Record: 2-3 career, lost in Wild Card
Win Percentage: 58.8% in 2024 regular season
Brief Summary: Mayfield had a career year with 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns and 16 picks on a 71.4% completion mark. He helped Tampa Bay defeat strong teams early in the season but showed inconsistency against elite competition later.
Strengths:
- Elite touchdown production (41 TDs)
- Strong arm and deep ball accuracy
- Energetic leadership
- Clutch performance capability
Weaknesses:
- Inconsistent performance against top defenses
- High interception rate
- Struggles with consistency game-to-game
How Defense/O-Line Affected Performance: Inconsistent defense put pressure on offense to score frequently. Adequate line protection but lost key weapons during season.
8. Matthew Stafford – Los Angeles Rams
2024 Regular Season Stats: 3,762 yards, 20 TD, 8 INT, 10-7 record
Playoff Record: 5-4 career, lost in Wild Card
Win Percentage: 58.8% in 2024 regular season
Brief Summary: Stafford was the most difficult quarterback to pin down in 2024, showing flashes of elite play in wins over teams like Buffalo, but also producing ugly performances in both wins and losses.
Strengths:
- Championship experience and clutch gene
- Strong arm and deep ball accuracy
- Veteran leadership and playoff experience
- Chemistry with elite receivers
Weaknesses:
- Inconsistent performance game-to-game
- Age-related durability concerns
- Struggles with consistency under pressure
How Defense/O-Line Affected Performance: Improved late-season protection helped Rams’ hot streak. Defense played well enough to keep games manageable.
9. C.J. Stroud – Houston Texans
2024 Regular Season Stats: Fewer yards and TDs than rookie season, 7 more INTs, 10-7 record
Playoff Record: 1-2 career, lost in Divisional Round
Win Percentage: 58.8% in 2024 regular season
Brief Summary: Stroud experienced a sophomore slump, recording fewer passing yards, touchdowns and a slightly worse completion rate along with seven more picks than his stellar rookie campaign.
Strengths:
- High football IQ and pocket presence
- Quick decision-making
- Leadership beyond his years
- Proven playoff capability
Weaknesses:
- Regression from rookie season
- Lost key receiving weapons to injury
- Inconsistent accuracy under pressure
How Defense/O-Line Affected Performance: Loss of Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell significantly impacted offensive capability. Defense was solid but not elite.
10. Jayden Daniels – Washington Commanders
2024 Regular Season Stats: 4,319 yards, 35 TD (passing/rushing combined), rookie record, 12-5 record
Playoff Record: 2-1 career, lost in NFC Championship
Win Percentage: 70.6% in 2024 regular season
Brief Summary: Daniels had a sensational rookie campaign, rebuilding his value with 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns. Despite being “preternaturally calm” for a rookie, he showed exceptional poise executing in high-pressure situations.
Strengths:
- Exceptional poise and maturity for rookie
- Elite dual-threat capability
- Supernatural execution for a rookie with seemingly “100 straight fourth downs” converted
- Strong leadership despite inexperience
Weaknesses:
- Limited NFL experience
- Questions about sustained elite performance
- Heavy reliance on his individual performance
How Defense/O-Line Affected Performance: Solid protection allowed rookie to develop confidence. Defense improved throughout season to support offensive success.
11. Jordan Love – Green Bay Packers
2024 Regular Season Stats: 3,762 yards, 32 TD, various injury issues, 11-6 record
Playoff Record: 1-2 career, lost in Wild Card
Win Percentage: 64.7% in 2024 regular season
Brief Summary: Love went through a lot in 2024, suffering a knee injury in Week 1, going 0-5 against NFC teams with 13+ wins, but still finished second in touchdown passes with 32.
Strengths:
- Strong arm and deep ball accuracy
- Leadership development
- High touchdown production
- Playoff experience
Weaknesses:
- Inconsistent performance against elite teams
- Injury concerns
- Decision-making under pressure
How Defense/O-Line Affected Performance: Inconsistent protection affected performance. Defense was adequate but not championship-level.
12. Sam Darnold – Minnesota Vikings
2024 Regular Season Stats: 4,319 yards, 35 TD, collapsed in finale, 14-3 record
Playoff Record: 0-1 career, lost in Wild Card
Win Percentage: 82.4% in 2024 regular season
Brief Summary: Darnold sensationally rebuilt his value during his one-year deal with Minnesota but saw it crumble in a 31-9 loss to the Lions in the regular season finale, raising concerns about playoff readiness.
Strengths:
- Career-year production
- Strong arm talent
- Good pocket presence
- Chemistry with elite receivers
Weaknesses:
- Poor performance in biggest games
- Inconsistent accuracy under pressure
- Limited playoff experience
- Questions about big-game capability
How Defense/O-Line Affected Performance: Strong offensive line and weapons helped career resurgence. Defense was inconsistent, putting pressure on offense.
13. Russell Wilson – Pittsburgh Steelers
2024 Regular Season Stats: 16 games, 414-yard performance vs Bengals, 10-7 record
Playoff Record: 11-7 career, lost in Wild Card
Win Percentage: 58.8% in 2024 regular season
Brief Summary: Wilson’s involvement opened up the Steelers’ passing game after replacing Justin Fields, including a standout 414-yard, three-touchdown performance against Cincinnati, though the offense cratered in the final four games.
Strengths:
- Veteran leadership and experience
- Deep ball accuracy when healthy
- Mobility and escapability
- Clutch performance history
Weaknesses:
- Age-related decline in mobility
- Inconsistent performance late in season
- Limited ceiling with current weapons
How Defense/O-Line Affected Performance: Strong defense kept games close. Inconsistent protection affected rhythm and timing.
14. Bo Nix – Denver Broncos
2024 Regular Season Stats: 3,775 yards, 29 TD, 12 INT, 66.3% completion, 10-7 record
Playoff Record: 0-1 career, lost in Wild Card
Win Percentage: 58.8% in 2024 regular season
Brief Summary: Nix did his part to help Denver make the playoffs for the first time since 2015, throwing for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 picks with a 66.3% completion percentage as one of two rookie quarterbacks in the postseason.
Strengths:
- Strong rookie season performance
- Good decision-making for rookie
- Mobility and athleticism
- Leadership potential
Weaknesses:
- Limited playoff experience
- Rookie inconsistency
- Questions about arm strength
- Low ceiling in first playoff appearance
How Defense/O-Line Affected Performance: Excellent offensive line protection, with guard Quinn Meinerz allowing just 3.6% pressure rate (lowest among all guards). Elite defense kept games manageable for rookie QB.
Key Takeaways
Top Tier (Elite): Mahomes, Allen, Jackson – These three separated themselves with MVP-level play and proven playoff success.
Second Tier (Proven Veterans): Goff, Hurts, Herbert, Mayfield – Established quarterbacks with varying degrees of playoff success.
Third Tier (Inconsistent/Declining): Stafford, Stroud, Love, Wilson – Veterans and sophomores with questions about consistency.
Rookie/Developing Tier: Daniels, Darnold, Nix – Limited experience but showed flashes of potential.
The 2024 playoffs showcased the importance of quarterback play, with the most successful teams generally having the most complete quarterback performances when it mattered most.
