This is the last time an NFL rookie quarterback won a playoff game

As in life, the normal course of events in the NFL is for a quarterback to gain experience, building up to a playoff appearance, and then on toward greater success. But that is not always the case. Sometimes, you get a fireball who comes blazing straight out of the gates.

Over the course of NFL history, there have only been 15 rookie quarterbacks to have led their team into a postseason game, with Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels about to join in for the Broncos and Commanders respectively.

Within this list, there are legends like Big Ben Roethlisberger, who made a career habit of taking the Steelers to the playoffs. Brock Purdy took over as the third string quarterback for the 49ers a couple of seasons back, after both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo were injured. The most recent, however, is C.J. Stroud who won with the Texans in the Wild Card round last season.

Another name on that list of rookie QBs with a playoff win is Joe Flacco, who had a brilliant start to his NFL career, then floundered and began to look like a bust, before finding his mojo again this season as a 38-year-old, 15-year veteran to take the Cleveland Browns to their first playoff appearance in three years.

Dieter Brock played only one year in the NFL, leading the LA Rams to the playoffs in 1985 and so makes the rookie list, despite having a legendary ten-year career in the Canadian Football League prior to that season.

Rookie starting QBs to win an NFL playoff game

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans – 2023

• Total wins: 1
• Final result: Lost Divisional Round

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers – 2022

• Total Wins: 2
• Final Result: Lost Conference Championship

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks – 2012

• Total Wins: 1
• Final Result: Lost Divisional Round

T.J. Yates, Houston Texans – 2011

• Total Wins: 1
• Final Result: Lost Divisional Round

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets – 2009

• Total Wins: 2
• Final Result: Lost Conference Championship

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens – 2008

• Total Wins: 2
• Final Result: Lost Conference Championship

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers – 2004

• Total Wins: 1
• Final Result: Lost Conference Championship

Aaron Brooks, New Orleans Saints – 1999

• Total Wins: 1
• Final Result: Lost Divisional Round

Shaun King, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1999

• Total Wins: 2
• Final Result: Lost Conference Championship

Dieter Brock, Los Angeles Rams – 1985

• Total Wins: 2
• Final Result: Lost Conference Championship

Pat Haden, Los Angeles Rams – 1976

• Total Wins: 1
• Final Result: Lost Divisional Round

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