In about 90% of situations, no team is going to win a Super Bowl without high-end QB play. We have seen this not be the case here and there, but not having a game-changing QB is to a team's detriment in the playoffs.
There are 18 teams already on the couch, as the full playoff picture is set, and Wild Card Weekend preparations are well underway. With how wide open things feel this year, anything could happen, and even the two no. 1 seeds in the AFC and NFC might not be a lock to make the Super Bowl in February.
We've power-ranked quarterbacks weekly here. Let's power rank the 14 playoff passers ahead of the first round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs.
Power ranking every playoff quarterback approaching Wild Card Weekend
14. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young had his best season in the NFL in 2025, and he finished with an 8-8 record, 23 touchdown passes, and 188.2 yards per game through the air. Folks, this is not a franchise quarterback. Young has been a massive bust if we're being honest but did have his moments at times in 2025.
13. CJ Stroud, Houston Texans
CJ Stroud missed about a month with a concussion but did play well enough down the stretch for Houston. Stroud isn't an elite player and has been good enough these past two seasons. You really don't get the sense that the Texans will be able to rely on Stroud if needed in the playoffs. He's honestly regressed since his rookie season.
12. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
The completion percentage is a problem for Caleb Williams, and the Chicago Bears might have to put the ball in Williams' hands more if they hope to win in the postseason. The entire operation in Chicago has taken a massive leap forward, but the QB and team as a whole are still a year or so away.
11. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold had 14 interceptions this year and fumbled 11 times. He's largely played well these past two seasons, but let's not pretend like he's been elite this year or anything. Darnold has been fine for Seattle but isn't someone you want by your side in the postseason, period.
10. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Bo Nix has not lit up the stat sheet in 2025, but he's been very good in high-leverage situations and is someone who can make a lot of noise with his legs as well. Denver's strong defense and clutch QB play could be enough to advance to the Super Bowl, as the Broncos have to win just two home games to get there this year.
9. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers has been good for the 10-7 Pittsburgh Steelers this year. It's clear that Rodgers isn't close to the passer he once was, but he's got a ton of playoff experience and is getting DK Metcalf back. Pittsburgh as a whole is not built to win a playoff game, but the savvy Rodgers could help them win a game or two if things bounce their way.
8. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert took a beating in the regular season, but it's not all the fault of the offensive line for the LA Chargers' woes. The Bolts' OL, however, is likely going to be the reason why this team goes one-and-done, but Herbert himself has been a disaster in his two career postseason games.
7. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts has been fine this year and does seem to perform well when the stakes are at the highest. Hurts and the Eagles have a ton of playoff experience together and should be able to scrape a win or two together, but this team isn't close to being a contender, as the offense has taken a noticeable step back, and Hurts isn't someone who can cover up for various issues on that side of the ball.
6. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are limping into the playoffs, but Jordan Love has been very good this year and is good enough to lead the Packers into Chicago and walk out with a win. The Packers have been the NFC's seventh playoff seed three years in a row now.
5. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence is heating up for the Jacksonville Jaguars at the right time. The defense has played well all year, but it's really been the passing attack that has come together. Jacksonville is the third seed in the AFC and welcome the Buffalo Bills to town in the Wild Card Round.
Lawrence is good enough to carry this team on his back for a game or two, as we're finally beginning to see why he was the first overall pick back in 2021.
4. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen has been his normal, dominant self in 2025, but both sides of the ball for Buffalo have taken a step back this year. The Bills now have to go on the road in the playoffs, and the one issue I can see popping up is Allen having to carry more of the load on offense. Outside of James Cook, the Bills offense is pretty limited, and this could force Allen into some mistakes, as he has the 'hero ball' gene in him, and, while that is a great quality to have, it can also come back to bite him.
3. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy has been very, very efficient since returning to the San Francisco 49ers' lineup, but Purdy likely won't be the reason why this team loses in the Wild Card Round. The defense is in a tough spot, as so many key players are hurt, so the personnel has taken a huge hit.
2. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Drake Maye is going to get a ton of MVP votes this year. He was simply excellent this year and is probably going to win an MVP award within the next three seasons. Sure, the New England Patriots benefitted from a super-soft schedule, but those are still NFL teams out there. I do worry about this Patriots team in the playoffs since they're so new, but if Maye can take his regular season success into the postseason, watch out.
1. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford is first in our QB rankings. The likely MVP of the league was approaching 50 touchdown passes this year and was simply excellent for most of the season. Stafford only managed to throw eight interceptions, helping lead the Los Angeles Rams to a 12-5 record.
LA is good enough to win it all this year, and with the best QB in the NFL approaching the playoffs, it might be a shock if the Rams don't represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX.