AFC Playoff QB Power Rankings
Image by Fansided.com (USA TODAY/Denny Medley)
With another great NFL regular season in the books, we now look toward who will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy in Glendale; on February 12th. Looking at the AFC side of the playoffs, the overall group is the next generation of star quarterbacks, where Patrick Mahomes is the eldest at only 27. We are beginning to see the future unfold before our eyes and this year’s playoffs will give us a taste of what it will be like for years to come. Ranking these quarterbacks will be difficult but they will be ranked based on statistical prowess, playoff experience, and the weapons at their disposal.
Patrick Mahomes
It is not hard to see why Patrick Mahomes tops the list, as he is very clearly the best QB in the league. He leads the league in touchdowns, passing yards, and QBR (Quarterback Rating). He is also doing this with the loss of his favorite weapon, Tyreek Hill, who left for Miami in the offseason. These are video game numbers and he has not stopped in the playoffs as he has been to two Super Bowls and won one. The Chiefs will be a force to reckon with in the playoffs and it will be hard to stop their offense with Mahomes at the helm.
His career playoff numbers: 3,381 yards, 28 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, with a passer rating of 105.7 in 11 games.
Joe Burrow
This is where it starts to get murky as Joe Burrow and Josh Allen could be interchangeable on this list. However, I tend to lean towards Burrow simply because he took his team to the Super Bowl last year. During that playoff run; he was magical. After being the most sacked QB in the regular season, and setting a record for being sacked in both the playoffs and Super Bowl. He simply has that “IT” factor; facing tall tasks is no issue with him. He seems to make any plays necessary to win the game. If the Bengals can stay healthy during the playoffs, it will be hard to deny them from repeating as the AFC champion.
His career playoff numbers: 1,105 yards, five touchdowns, two interceptions, with a passer rating of 97.3 in 4 games.
Josh Allen
As I stated earlier, it is hard to differentiate between Allen and Burrow, because they are both great quarterbacks. Allen has the statistical advantage but has not seen the same success as Burrow has, as he has never reached the Super Bowl. He has been in the playoffs multiple times during his career, and the Bills have always come up short. It is not Allen’s fault, as he has played above and beyond in every playoff game in which he has made an appearance. The Buffalo Bills will be a force in the playoffs and behind Allen’s monstrous arm, Buffalo will have a good chance to play for the Super Bowl; come February.
His career playoff numbers: 1,718 yards, 14 touchdowns, one interception, with a passer rating of 106.6 in 6 games
Justin Herbert
This will be Herbert’s first career playoff appearance, and it comes after another solid season coming second in yards (behind Mahomes), top 10 in TDs, and top 15 in QBR. Many people have long been waiting for Herbert to take the national playoff stage, the talent is certainly there, but we will need to see if he can put it all together by helping the Los Angeles Chargers make a deep playoff run. I ranked him above guys like Trevor Lawrence and Lamar Jackson because of his arm, he has the tangibles to become an Allen, Burrow, or Mahomes.
He has yet to play in a playoff game so here were his stats this season: 4,739 yards, 25 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, with a QBR of 58.4 in 17 games.
Trevor Lawrence
I know, I know, Lamar Jackson is still on the board. It comes down to “what have you done for me lately?”. Lawrence is hitting his stride going into the playoffs, while Lamar may not play until the Divisional Round. Lamar is certainly more established but he has not been on the field to prove it. Trevor has a chance to create a legacy in Jacksonville, and be the answer that all of Jacksonville has hoped for; he has the talent to do it. We will see Saturday night if he pans out.
He has yet to play in a playoff game so here were his stats this season: 4,113 yards, 25 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, with a QBR of 54.5 in 17 games.
Lamar Jackson or Tyler Huntley
The reason why Lamar has slipped down the list is simple, I do not know if he will play during the playoffs. He makes the Ravens a completely different team and without him, I do not see them making it past the Wild Card Round. Lamar has not been stellar during the playoffs in his career, but his presence makes the opponent scheme a different way. Tyler Huntley has done a serviceable job stepping in for him, but it will not be enough to hold their ground against the rest of the AFC.
Lamar’s career playoff numbers: 900 yards, three touchdowns, five interceptions, with a passer rating of 68.3 in 4 games.
Tyler Huntley’s regular season stats: 658 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions, with a QBR of 41.3 in 5 games.
Tua Tagovailoa, Teddy Bridgewater, or Skylar Thompson
Last but not least, the Miami Dolphins quarterback room. I have absolutely no idea who will be starting come Sunday. Tua Tagovailoa has been out for multiple weeks in the concussion protocol and Teddy Bridgewater missed last week with a finger injury. Skylar Thompson has been nothing short of horrid when he has played and they have to travel to Buffalo, with all these questions at hand. Unless Tua is undeniably healthy, I do not see the Dolphins making it past the Bills. Under better circumstances, it would be interesting to see how Tua plays in a playoff environment because his fellow draft classmates have proven themselves to be impactful; those being Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert.
Tua’s regular season stats: 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, with a QBR of 68.5 in 13 games.
Teddy Bridgewater’s regular season stats: 683 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions, with a QBR of 48.7 in 5 games
Skylar Thompson’s regular season stats: 534 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions, with a QBR of 27.3 in 7 games.