NFL Playoffs 2025: Rating all 14 quarterbacks from worst to finest

The NFL playoffs are right here and that could be a great factor.

The NFL playoffs are right here and that’s additionally a harmful factor.

Why is that this harmful, you ask? You see, what occurs over the course of the following month (ish) goes to dramatically alter the way in which that we view the panorama of issues and sure folks. Clearly the playoffs are a very powerful factor relative to any given NFL season, however we regularly dilute something and every thing that occurs into EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS HERE as a result of the video games are so large. I get it, however the course of additionally weeds out necessary context.

Whether or not you agree with that or not it’s secure to say that subsequent month (once more, ish) goes to outline particularly how we view sure folks… aka some quarterbacks. Whoever does or doesn’t get it accomplished within the greatest moments goes to be celebrated or must reply for that.

Fortunately I’m right here to supply the solutions earlier than the take a look at itself begins.

Rating all 12 quarterbacks within the NFL playoffs

Let me first say that attempting to rank something is inherently troublesome and actually inconceivable. I feel that strawberry is the most effective ice cream taste and that Tom Holland is the most effective Spider-Man. I think about you will have points with considered one of if not each of these statements.

However let me inform you, if that bothered you then we’re in for a bumpy experience over the following little bit right here.

There are 12 groups taking part in within the playoffs which implies that there are 12 quarterbacks taking part in within the playoffs. I’m about to rank them. It’s okay. These are simply phrases. They can not damage you.

In the end to rank these signal-callers I feel it’s honest to interrupt them down into some tiers. We’ll go in ascending order as a result of I nonetheless can’t cease watching Depraved and that taught me a very long time in the past that you really want the drama to construct.

Tier 1: Congrats on being right here, however we have to see it to belief you

It’s right here that I’m going to go very chalk and provide the newbies to the playoff panorama. I feel that it’s positively chalk (clearly, I mentioned that) in that these are typically probably the most inexperienced gamers, but it surely additionally works relative to the place they stack up in opposition to each other.

Picture by Gregory Shamus/Getty Photos

14: Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers

13: Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

12: Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

11: Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

I lied! Russell is actually not a playoff beginner, however this is his first playoff recreation with a crew aside from the Seattle Seahawks. This week will provide the primary little bit of playoff motion for Sam Darnold, Field Nix and Jayden Daniels although, clearly.

Of those 4 I feel that I feel Russell is the one one who can’t grasp in the identical means. This isn’t a slight in opposition to Russell, however we haven’t seen him make as many performs throughout this season to assist his crew as we’ve the others within the group. Truthful is honest.

All of that being mentioned… I feel the participant with probably the most to lose right here is Sam Darnold. If Russell is dangerous folks will simply shrug it off primarily based on what the previous couple of years have been. If Nix and/or Daniels don’t get it accomplished, effectively, hey, they’re younger and have lengthy futures forward of them.

If Darnold delivers a stinker it would revive all the discuss concerning the Vikings being entrance runners the way in which that folks mentioned in 2022 (which was unfair!) and observe him in free company this 12 months whether or not he returns to Minnesota or goes elsewhere.

Tier 2: You’ve gotten my belief, and you’ve got the change to raise your self

For me this playoff group comes all the way down to quarterbacks who we all know can ship within the NFL as a result of we’ve seen them do it time and time once more. Most of them have even accomplished so sooner or later within the playoffs.

However the group is exclusive in that they’re all additionally a playoff win or two from actually distancing themself from the pack. Ought to they win this week and perhaps subsequent week on high of it… we’re speaking a few completely different stratosphere.

Picture by Wesley Hitt/Getty Photos

10: Jordan Love, Inexperienced Bay Packers

9: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

8: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

7: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

I feel these are necessary playoffs for each Love and Stroud. In the event that they underwhelm then the nice will they constructed up final 12 months will actually fizzle and fade away. This sounds unfair, but when Herbert stinks it up folks will simply proceed to pour on. He has already crossed the road of the web to the place logic and motive escape folks. That’s what separates him from the others right here, they’ll perhaps be a part of him in that wilderness.

Baker Mayfield is exclusive in that no one actually hates him or thinks he sucks or hypes him up past what’s sensible and/or honest. If he wins on Sunday evening and helps the Buccaneers have again to again seasons with playoff victories… I feel his narrative modifications a bit.

Tier 3: Critical dudes, however it’s time to stack some extra

For me this tier is about quarterbacks who we all know and imagine are official and that we belief with most of every thing, however we’re able to see extra. Greater than that, we’re able to see it once more.

Picture by Ronald Martinez/Getty Photos

6: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

5: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

4: Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Every of those quarterbacks has reached the NFC Championship Recreation sooner or later within the final three years, clearly Stafford even went effectively past that and received the Tremendous Bowl.

Outdoors of these runs although, with their present groups, we’ve not seen a lot of anything within the playoffs particularly. 2022 was magical for Jalen Hurts and clearly final season was superb for the Lions at massive. This 12 months is about doing it once more for considered one of these 3 and proving that their superb 12 months (Goff may be in the course of his) was not a one off in order that they’ll be a part of the ultimate group.

Tier 4: Ballers, Shot-Callers

Let’s be adults right here and admit you could order this nevertheless you need and never be fallacious in any possible way. Deal? Deal.

Right here is how I’m ordering it.

3: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

2: Josh Allen, Buffalo Payments

1: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Picture by Michael Owens/Getty Photos

I really like all three of those quarterbacks and most groups can be past lucky to have them. This could all be true!

It can be true that Mahomes is clearly on a GOAT path and that his “down” 12 months slotting him third is just not some huge signal of disrespect. We are able to contextualize the place he and his crew are at and acknowledge the individuality with how they’re taking part in and successful.

For a lot of this season I used to be of the idea that Josh Allen was MVP and to be clear he has a rightful case. He has been excellent.

However Lamar Jackson presents a distinct sort of “that dude is an issue” power proper now and is seemingly on the peak of his powers that we’ve come to know from him which is actually saying one thing provided that he has received MVP twice already.

I’ve spoken.