NFL playoff QB power rankings: Can Aaron Rodgers, anyone else dethrone Patrick Mahomes in 2021?

The 2021 NFL playoffs function only one — possibly two — quarterbacks who can be making their first postseason begin.  

Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield, who led the Browns to their first playoff berth because the 2002 season, is a kind of QBs. Los Angeles’ John Wolford could be the opposite if Jared Goff (thumb) can not go. 

The remainder of the sector is loaded. Six quarterbacks — Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes — have gained Tremendous Bowls. Brady, Rodgers, Mahomes and Lamar Jackson have gained NFL MVP awards. It is a good mixture of youth and expertise on the NFL’s most necessary place.  

Listed below are these quarterbacks sorted by age:  

SN ranked the playoff quarterbacks utilizing this query: Who would you like proper now?

NFL playoff QB energy rankings 2021

1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs  

Mahomes is drawing comparisons to a online game boss after one other excellent season wherein he completed with 4,740 yards, 38 TDs and simply six interceptions. The Chiefs completed 14-2 and have home-field benefit within the AFC once more. Mahomes may not win the MVP award, however Kansas Metropolis has a higher path to the Tremendous Bowl than the subsequent quarterback on the record. Can Mahomes lead the primary repeat since Brady in 2004-05?  

2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers  

If you wish to put Rodgers at No. 1, that is nice. He is on the prime of his sport. He’ll seemingly win the MVP after passing for 4,299 yards with 48 TDs and simply 5 interceptions, and the Packers have home-field benefit for the primary time since 2011. Rodgers is flourishing in his second season in Matt LaFleur’s system, and that is his finest probability to get a long-awaited second Tremendous Bowl look. Brady, Brees and Wilson are among the many prime challengers within the NFC. That is not going to be simple. 

3. Tom Brady, Buccaneers  

Sure, we all know Brady has six Tremendous Bowl championships and 9 appearances and 30 profession playoff profession victories. All of that was in New England. Tampa Bay is the No. 5 seed, however they are arguably essentially the most harmful wild-card workforce after profitable 4 straight video games to shut the season. The Buccaneers have been simply 1-5 towards groups that made the postseason, and so they should do it on the highway. Can Brady do it with out Invoice Belichick? We’re about to seek out out.  

4. Russell Wilson, Seahawks  

Wilson’s playmaking potential propelled the Seahawks to a 12-4 report, however the offense had just one sport with greater than 28 factors within the second half of the season. Wilson nonetheless had 40 extra TDs, and his improv type sometimes interprets nicely within the postseason. The Seahawks should go on the highway in some unspecified time in the future, and Wilson is 3-5 in highway playoff video games.  

5. Josh Allen, Payments  

Allen emerged as a authentic MVP candidate this season, and he is certainly one of simply three QBs with a QBR above 80. The reference to Stefon Diggs has elevated your entire offense, and Allen closed the common season with 16 TDs and simply three interceptions within the Payments’ six-game win streak. That will get erased within the postseason, after all, however Buffalo appears like Kansas Metropolis’s finest challenger within the AFC.  

6. Lamar Jackson, Ravens  

Jackson would possibly face extra stress than every other QB in these playoffs given his 0-2 postseason report. Since getting back from COVID-19, nonetheless, Jackson averages 161.8 passing yards and 86 dashing yards with 15 whole TDs and simply three interceptions. The season-saving heroics towards Cleveland in Week 14 awakened the offense, and Baltimore can be a tricky out within the playoffs in consequence.  

7. Drew Brees, Saints  

Is that this too low? Brees missed 5 video games this season due to a rib damage, however the Saints a stay a superb guess to make a run within the NFC. That hinges simply as a lot on Alvin Kamara as Brees, nonetheless. Brees averaged 248.7 passing yards with six TDs and three interceptions after getting back from the damage, and New Orleans did push the Chiefs to the restrict. Brees is 8-8 within the postseason, and the prospect to avenge final 12 months’s wild-card loss to Minnesota is there.  

8. Ryan Tannehill, Titans  

Tannehill proved this season that final 12 months’s run to the AFC championship sport wasn’t a fluke, and it would not damage to have 2,000-yard rusher Derrick Henry within the backfield. Tannehill has 22 TDs and simply two interceptions at house this season, however the Titans have been 5-3 in these video games. Tennessee completed 3-3 towards the opposite groups within the AFC playoffs this season, and there seemingly can be shootouts.  

9. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers  

Roethlisberger is a two-time Tremendous Bowl winner and he is gained 13 profession playoff begins, however the final postseason victory was in 2016. Roethlisberger had eight TDs and 4 interceptions Pittsburgh’s final 4 video games, and the offense lastly clicked once more within the second half towards Indianapolis. Massive Ben is 4-1 within the playoffs towards AFC North groups, however that is his first postseason begin towards the Browns.  

10. Baker Mayfield, Browns  

For what it is value, Mayfield is the highest-ranked former No. 1 decide on this 12 months’s playoffs. Mayfield developed with first-year Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland, particularly within the second half of the season. Mayfield threw only one interception within the Browns’ final 9 video games. Mayfield is 0-3 at Heinz Discipline for his profession, but when he continues to make good choices with the assist of a powerful operating sport led by Nick Chubb and Kareem, then Cleveland could have an opportunity.  

11. Philip Rivers, Colts  

The Colts slipped into the playoffs, and Rivers – who’s 5-6 within the postseason for his profession – did assist stabilize the quarterback place in Indianapolis. Rivers can nonetheless go off at any given time, however he ranked nineteenth within the NFL in QBR this season. Indianapolis was simply 5-3 on the highway this season, and they’re up towards one of many hottest groups within the league in Buffalo.  

12. Jared Goff, Rams  

This assumes Goff – who began in a Tremendous Bowl two years in the past – performs within the wild-card matchup towards the Seahawks. If that is not the case, John Wolford has not made a playoff begin. Goff, in the meantime, has struggled with turnovers this season. The Rams are 4-1 towards groups that made the NFC playoffs, and that included wins towards Seattle and Tampa Bay.  

13. Alex Smith, Washington  

Smith is surely the most effective story among the many quarterbacks given his comeback from a ugly leg damage. He has six TDs and eight interceptions this season, however Washington will not less than be taking part in at house towards the Buccaneers. Smith has seven playoff begins in his profession, and he’s coming off an honest begin towards Philadelphia that clinched the NFC East. He can be requested to do extra as a heavy underdog towards Tampa Bay.  

14. Mitchell Trubisky, Bears  

Trubisky’s contract is a continuing matter of dialog in Chicago, and he heads into his second playoff begin with questions on whether or not he could be the long-term reply. Trubisky had 10 TDs and 5 interceptions in his final 5 begins, however he can be pressed to take extra pictures towards the Saints within the NFC wild card spherical. The Bears’ have protected nicely within the final three video games, however they’re going to must be even higher to offer Trubisky an opportunity.