Rookie quarterbacks don’t usually thrive in the NFL playoffs. Going up against experienced players in such intense situations is a whole different ballgame. Since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, only 13 rookie quarterbacks have managed to win a playoff game, which shows the difficulty of achieving such a milestone. Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders’ rookie quarterback, has become the latest to join this elite group, doing so in spectacular fashion during the 2024 NFL Playoffs.
The second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Daniels entered the league with high expectations, and he has exceeded them at every turn. His regular season was exceptional, finishing with 3,568 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and an 85.7 QB+ score — the ninth-best among all quarterbacks in 2024. On the ground, Daniels added 891 rushing yards and six touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. His contributions led Washington to a 12-5 record and their first NFC East title since 1999.
Jayden Daniels: A Rookie On The Brink Of History
Daniels’ playoff debut came in the Wild Card Round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that boasted one of the league’s most opportunistic defenses. In a tightly contested game, Daniels led the Commanders to a 23-20 victory, completing a crucial fourth-quarter comeback. His performance included 268 total yards and a QB+ score of 80.6, the third-highest for a rookie playoff debut since 2019. Notably, Daniels became just the third rookie quarterback to lead a fourth-quarter comeback on the road in the playoffs, joining Russell Wilson (2012) and Mark Sanchez (2009).
Daniels’ playoff debut came in the Wild Card Round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that boasted one of the league’s most opportunistic defenses. In a tightly contested game, Daniels led the Commanders to a 23-20 victory, completing a crucial fourth-quarter comeback. His performance included 268 total yards and a QB+ score of 80.6, the third-highest for a rookie playoff debut since 2019. Notably, Daniels became just the third rookie quarterback to lead a fourth-quarter comeback on the road in the playoffs, joining Russell Wilson (2012) and Mark Sanchez (2009).
In the Divisional Round, Daniels elevated his game even further against the top-seeded Detroit Lions, a team that entered the playoffs with the NFL’s third-best scoring defense. Daniels threw for 299 yards with a 71% completion rate, adding two touchdowns and no turnovers. His passer rating of 122.9 was the highest recorded by any quarterback in the 2024 postseason to that point. For the second consecutive week, Daniels surpassed 300 total yards, making him the only rookie quarterback in NFL history to do so in back-to-back playoff games. His flawless execution under pressure propelled Washington to a 27-17 upset victory, earning the franchise its first trip to the NFC Championship Game since 1991.
With a 2-0 playoff record, Daniels has achieved what few rookies ever have. He is now on the cusp of an even greater milestone — becoming the first rookie quarterback to lead his team to the Super Bowl. No other quarterback on this exclusive list has managed to win three playoff games in their debut season, highlighting the unprecedented nature of Daniels’ accomplishments.
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The Exclusive Club Of Rookie Playoff Winners
Commanders’ Jayden Daniels is now a part of the distinguished group of rookie quarterbacks who have won playoff games, including Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, and Brock Purdy. Purdy’s 2022 playoff debut saw him throw for 332 yards, the most by any rookie quarterback in a postseason game. He also led the San Francisco 49ers to two playoff wins before falling short in the NFC Championship Game.
Commanders’ Jayden Daniels is now a part of the distinguished group of rookie quarterbacks who have won playoff games, including Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, and Brock Purdy. Purdy’s 2022 playoff debut saw him throw for 332 yards, the most by any rookie quarterback in a postseason game. He also led the San Francisco 49ers to two playoff wins before falling short in the NFC Championship Game.
C.J. Stroud, another recent addition to this group, made headlines during the 2023 playoffs with a dominant performance against the Cleveland Browns. Stroud threw for 274 yards, three touchdowns, and posted a 157.2 passer rating — the third-highest in NFL playoff history. Unlike Daniels, however, Stroud’s Texans were eliminated in the Divisional Round.
Historically, only a handful of rookie quarterbacks have managed multiple playoff wins. Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez each led their teams to the AFC Championship Game during their rookie campaigns in 2008 and 2009, respectively, but neither advanced further. Ben Roethlisberger achieved the same feat in 2004, guiding the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 15-1 regular season before falling short in the postseason.
