After spectacular playoff debuts, quarterbacks in the NFL have a bright future.
Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers and CJ Stroud of the Houston Texans both had tremendous postseason debuts, leading their clubs to unlikely Super Wild Card weekend triumphs while putting up strikingly similar stat lines.
Both Stroud and Love finished with 157.2 passer ratings, having completed 16 of 21 passing attempts and throwing three touchdowns without being intercepted. There was just passing yardage that separated the two, with Stroud (274) ahead of Love (272) by two yards.
Both came uncomfortably close to achieving perfect passer ratings (158.3) in their first playoff action. But as of right now, they have the third-best rating in playoff history (minimum 21 pass attempts). According to Stathead, the only two quarterbacks who rank higher are Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (157.6, 2022 vs. New England Patriots) and Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (158.3, 2004 vs. Denver Broncos).
Against the NFL’s top defense in yards allowed (274.9 YPG), Stroud was outstanding in a 45-14 rout of the Cleveland Browns, completing 76% of his passes and averaging 12.7 yards per pass attempt. Case Keenum, an 11-year veteran and backup quarterback, was thrilled by the rookie’s performance and gave him great accolades, predicting that he will end up being “the best of all-time”.
In an equally lopsided 48-32 triumph over the Buffalo Billson the road, Love was just as outstanding. Love led the Packers to touchdowns on three of the team’s opening four drives, all but ending the game by halftime, despite coming into the game as a significant underdog against the NFC’s No. 2 seed. The quarterback’s performance left head coach Matt LaFleur speechless after the victory, telling reporters, “Wow, that’s about all I can say.”
Being the first rookie to lead the league in passing yards per game, Stroud has only gotten better as the pressure in the games has increased. With nine passing touchdowns and no interceptions since Week 10, he has demonstrated the composure of an experienced veteran, leading the Texans from 3-13-1 to 10-7 and NFC South champs. In his part, Love has led the Packers to three straight victories down the line to secure the final wild-card berth ahead of Sunday’s upset. Over the previous nine weeks, he has 21 touchdowns and just one pick.
