Pressure’s On

By Mike Rifkin

The NFL Postseason is here, and that has fans excited. Players and coaches can create or add to their existing legacies. If Patrick Mahomes loses in this playoff, it does nothing to what he has already accomplished. But what about the other Quarterbacks in the playoffs? This article will number the quarterbacks in each conference with the most pressure and why. 

NFC :

1.  Dak Prescott – One of the most challenging jobs in football is to be the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. Dak will receive MVP votes and lead his team to the NFC East title, but he has to get to the NFC Championship Game for me to be assured he’s the Cowboys quarterback in the long term.

2) Jalen Hurts – The Eagles have spiraled out, losing five of six games, which is something you don’t want before the playoffs. Are all of the problems his fault? No, but we judge based on Quarterbacks today, and last I checked, Philly was in the Super Bowl last year and was the prohibited favorite this year; if Jalen Hurts can’t turn this around, it’ll be quite the offseason in the city of brotherly shove.

3) Brock Purdy – Mr. Irrelevant- is relevant and, like Prescott, will get some love in the MVP race. Last year in the NFC Championship game, Purdy got hurt, and it was downhill for the Niners from there. They’re the favorites this year; if they fail, people will look at Purdy; this could be a national statement that looks good for Purdy. 

4) Matthew Stafford: To be fair, I’m only putting Stafford here because who knows how much longer he can play at this high level. He did win a Super Bowl a few seasons ago, but if he does it again, he will be a surefire Hall Of Famer (I already think he is). 

5) Jared Goff – I don’t think there’s much pressure on Goff, but based on the two other QBs, I have to put him here. He has to lead a team that has never been in this spot before; let’s see how they respond. 

6) Jordan Love – What do you do in your first year replacing Aaron Rodgers? You lead your team to the playoffs. It hasn’t always been pretty for Love this year, but a nice playoff run could make people outside of Green Bay believe he’s the guy. 

7) Baker Mayfield – The former number one overall pick has found his new home in Tampa. Baker rejuvenated his career in Tampa, leading them to the NFC South title. Baker can play loose, but the Bucs are a dangerous team this playoff.

AFC : 

1. Lamar Jackson  – The MVP frontrunner has the most pressure in the AFC. Lamar has checked many boxes this season. His playoff numbers could be better. He needs a good playoff to get those critics off his back. 

2) Josh Allen – Outside of Baltimore, the Bills are the hottest team in football at the moment. In the playoffs the past few years, Mahomes and Joe Burrow outdueled Allen; now, Mahomes’ team isn’t what it usually is, and Burrow isn’t in the way, so Josh Allen needs a good playoff run to solidify himself. 

3) Tua Tagovailoa – I’m not sure who is criticized more between Tua and Dak Prescott. But if Tua and the Dolphins go on a nice playoff run, that’d be a way to silence some critics and earn Tua a very nice payday. 

4) Joe Flacco – Yes, it sounds weird that there’s pressure on Joe Flacco when he has saved the Cleveland Browns’ season. But a terrific playoff run could get Joe Flacco an opportunity to start somewhere next season. 

5) Patrick Mahomes – Mahomes has already won two Super Bowls, but I’ll put him here because as long as he’s around, you expect him to figure something out as Tom Brady would. But he might have to play on the road in the playoffs for the first time.

6) CJ Stroud – He’s going to win Rookie Of The Year, but the standard in Houston has been set. Stroud and company are playing with zero pressure and can relax and play loose because no matter who they play, the pressure’s on the other team. The future is bright in Houston.

7) Mason Rudolph – Whoever the Steelers decide to play for the playoffs has no pressure on them because nobody thinks the Steelers can make a run. They could showcase themselves for other teams, but the most minor pressure is in Pittsburgh for this exercise.