5 rookie quarterbacks who won in the playoffs ft. Ben Roethlisberger and more
Saturday's Wild Card playoff game saw rookie quarterback Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers defeat the Seattle Seahawks 41-23. It was an impressive display that raised the question of how often quarterbacks lead their teams to playoff wins in their debut seasons.
While many have led their teams to the playoffs, only a select few have managed to achieve the feat of winning a playoff game in their first season. Here is a list of 5 quarterbacks to have won a playoff game in their rookie season.
#1. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (2004 season)
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ben Roethlisberger in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft. Initially, he was the third-choice quarterback on the team behind Tommy Maddox and Charlie Batch.
However, due to an injury to Batch during the preseason (and poor performances) and an injury to Maddox in Week 3, Roethlisberger was given an opportunity. He led the team to win a playoffs game in his rookie season.
Kenny Pickett through first 8 career games:
66.6 CMP%
1,600 passing yards
6 TOT TD
Ben Roethlisberger through first 8 career games:
67.6 CMP%
1,450 passing yards
10 TOT TD
The Steelers rookie QB is showing flashes of the Pittsburgh legend 👀 https://t.co/KfrvwsKJLR
Roethlisberger completed the regular season with a winning record of 13-0, throwing for 2,621 yards and 17 touchdowns. He made his playoff debut in the Divisional round against the New York Jets and helped lead the team to victory in overtime with a game-winning field goal.
The Steelers lost the AFC championship game to eventual Super Bowl champions the New England Patriots.
#2. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (2008 season)
The Baltimore Ravens selected Joe Flacco as the 18th overall pick in 2008 NFL draft. Flacco was meant to be the third-choice quarterback, but due to injuries to starter Kyle Boller and an illness to Tro Smit, Flacco was given the nod.
Flacco finished his rookie season with a pass completion percentage of 60.0%, 2,971 yards, and 16 touchdowns. Flacco and the Ravens secured their place in the playoffs and defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-9 in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Flacco became the first quarterback to win two consecutive playoff games in their rookie season after a 13-10 divisional-round victory over the Tennessee Titans. The Ravens lost the AFC championship game against the Steelers 14-23.
#3. Mark Sanchez, New York Jets (2009 season)
Mark Sanchez was taken in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. The New York Jets traded their first- and second-round selections, as well as three players, to the Cleveland Browns to take him fifth overall.
The 2009 season began on a high note for Sanchez, winning three consecutive Pepsi Rookie of the Week awards in the first three weeks of the campaign. He also made history by becoming the first rookie quarterback to start and win his first three NFL games.
last Jets QB with a winning record in New York was Mark Sanchez
8-12: Zach Wilson
1-7: Joe Flacco
1-2: Mike White
13-25: Sam Darnold
0-2: Luke Falk
0-1: Trevor Siemian
5-11: Josh McCown
1-6: Bryce Petty
13-14: Ryan Fitzpatrick
1-2: Mike Vick
12-18: Geno Smith
33-29: Mark Sanchez
However, the remainder of the season was not as smooth. In Week 4, Sanchez threw an interception that led to a 99-yard touchdown. In Week 6, he threw five interceptions in a 16-13 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Sanchez and the Jets rallied to finish the regular season with a 9-7 record, securing a spot in the playoffs. In the Wild Card round, they secured a 24-14 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sanchez and the team went on to win the Divisional round game against the San Diego Chargers 17-14. Sanchez became the second rookie quarterback in NFL history to win his first two consecutive playoff games following Joe Flacco in 2008.
Despite their success, the Jets eventually lost their AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts with a score of 30-17, giving up an 11-point lead.
#4. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (2012 season)
Russell Wilson was selected by the Seahawks as the 75th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. After competing for the starter position with veteran quarterback Matt Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson, Wilson was given the nod for the 2021 season.
Wilson threw for 3,118 yards and 26 touchdowns in his rookie season, tying the record set by Peyton Manning for most touchdown passes by a rookie. Wilson's ability as a running quarterback contributed to 489 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
Led by Wilson, the Seahawks secured a playoff spot and went on to win their wild-card round game against the Washington Redskins by a score of 24-14. Wilson had a solid performance, throwing for 187 yards and rushing for 67 yards.
They would eventually lose the divisional round game against the Atlanta Falcons by a field goal with 31 seconds left on the clock.
#5. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (2022 season)
Brock Purdy was selected as the 262nd overall pick in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. After injuries to initial starters Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, Purdy was given the nod to start in Week 13.
To the amazement of many, Purdy put up impressive numbers, throwing for 1,374 yards and 14 total touchdowns in five games as the 49ers starting quarterback. The 49ers met the Seahawks in the Wild Card game of the playoffs and won 41-23.
Purdy threw for 332 yards and three passing touchdowns, as well as scoring a rushing touchdown. Purdy will have the chance to become the third rookie quarterback to win consecutive playoff games.
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