The 2022 NFL playoffs are here, and these QBs are the safest bets heading into the postseason. All of the playoff quarterbacks have had success this season, and now it’s time for them to earn those “franchise” labels.
1. Aaron Rodgers — Green Bay Packers
The reigning NFL MVP looks primed to win it again. Rodgers has gotten a bit more outspoken and ornerier as he’s aged, but he’s still widely considered the best signal caller in the league. However, all of the accolades on his mantel can’t take away the fact that with the exception of his one Super Bowl, Rodgers has underachieved in the playoffs.
This might be his last year as the Packers quarterback, and he needs to lead them to another Super Bowl for his legacy’s sake. His play in the regular season has been sensational, but his postseason performances have left something to be desired. What Rodgers can do in and out of the pocket is rivaled by few signal callers in NFL history. The three-time MVP is pinpoint accurate in either situation and he rarely makes mistakes. In fact, Rodgers hasn’t yet thrown 100 interceptions (93) in his illustrious 17-year future Hall of Fame career.
Mr. Discount Double Check has had a typical season, passing for 4,115 yards, 37 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He drops dimes with regularity, but he’s no longer judged on his regular season output, only his postseason success or failures. Can we expect the same guy in late January that we’ve seen the past four months?
Rodgers dime to Lazard for 6 🔥
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/ghJgQBbe4m— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 9, 2022
2. Tom Brady — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 44-year-old Brady continues to look ageless. This season Brady passed for a league-best 5,316 yards and 43 touchdowns. After winning the Super Bowl in his first season in Tampa, Brady is back and hunting for an eighth Lombardi Trophy. Tom Terrific will have to do it minus the overload of weaponry he had during last season’s SB run. Stud wideout Chris Godwin tore his ACL and Antonio Brown quit on the team mid-game and was then released. But Brady has won with less in the past, and it’s not the like cupboard is bare in Tampa. All-Pro targets Mike Evans and Rob Gronkowski are still available and will make big plays. The Bucs are still formidable, and it begins with “TD Tommy.”
Brady just dropped a dime to Mike Evans 🎯
Bucs (-4) have life…pic.twitter.com/YGtqWXq9Ky
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) October 31, 2021
3. Patrick Mahomes — Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick “Ketchup On Everything” began the season slow as defenses set out to confuse him with different looks. It worked for the first eight weeks as he tossed 10 of his career-high 13 picks. With the Chiefs sitting at 3-4, the switch went off for Mahomes, Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy. The trio stopped trying to force the ball downfield against the two-deep safety look designed to negate that. Once they all got on one accord, the Chiefs went on an eight-game win streak and secured the No. 2 seed in the AFC. Mahomes threw 19 touchdowns over the last nine games and finished the season with 4,839 yards, 37 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Patrick Mahomes’ first TD pass since last year 👀
pic.twitter.com/lV6msOdTlG— PFF (@PFF) January 2, 2022
4. Josh Allen — Buffalo Bills
The 6-foot-5 signal caller of the Buffalo Bills is arguably the best dual-threat QB in the league not named Lamar Jackson. No, he isn’t as fast or quick as Lamar or Kyler Murray, but he’s probably a better passer than both. Allen is a threat with his legs who’s also capable of passing for 350 yards or more on any given week. His versatility allows him to keep the chains moving in multiple ways for the “Bills Mafia.”
Allen passed for 4,407 yards, 36 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The interceptions are mostly a product of trusting his very strong arm a little too much at times. He also rushed for 763 yards and six touchdowns. The Bills need him to limit mistakes.
Josh Allen DIME pic.twitter.com/f6NgJ5aLm3
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 11, 2021
5. Joe Burrow — Cincinnati Bengals
“Joe Cool” is the only playoff newbie on the list, and he earned his spot. Burrow led the Bengals to their first AFC North title since 2015 with swag like ARod and intangibles that rival Brady’s.
Cincy also captured its first sweep of division foes Baltimore and Pittsburgh since 2009. Burrow played his best during those critical games, throwing 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions in those sweeps. He tallied an incredible 941 yards passing and seven touchdowns against the Ravens.
Burrow returned from a torn ACL a season ago to put up 4,611 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He’s just scratching the surface as to how good he’ll be. He or Cowboys QB Dak Prescott should be in line to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
JOE BURROW CLUTCH DIME 🥶
Bengals tie it up late against the 49ers
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/yWqQq11M0K— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 13, 2021
Honorable Mention
Kyler Murray — Dynamic dynamo needs to be great for the Cards to advance
Dak Prescott — There’s a ton of pressure on Prescott and the Cowboys to win in the postseason. Is he up to the task?
Matt Stafford — Needs to prove he can avoid big mistakes with the Rams and beat good teams.
Ben Roethlisberger — His last rodeo wasn’t supposed to continue with a Steelers playoff berth. He’s been here before, so don’t count him out.
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