A new generation of quarterbacks took center stage this NFL Wild Card weekend, with rookie CJ Stroud and second-year QB Jordan Love putting on dazzling performances that have fans and analysts buzzing about the future at the position.
Stroud Makes History in Playoff Debut
CJ Stroud entered rare company in his first career playoff start for the Houston Texans. The former Ohio State standout threw for 325 yards and 3 touchdowns, leading Houston to a 31-23 upset over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Stroud joined Russell Wilson (2012) as the only rookie QBs in NFL history to throw for 300+ yards and 3+ touchdowns in their playoff debut. His passer rating of 143.7 ranks 3rd all-time among rookie playoff QB debuts behind Wilson (142.9) and Ben Roethlisberger (141.4)1.
| QB | Year | Cmp/Att | Pass Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Wilson | 2012 | 15/26 | 385 | 2 | 1 | 142.9 |
| Ben Roethlisberger | 2004 | 14/24 | 221 | 2 | 1 | 141.4 |
| CJ Stroud | 2024 | 21/32 | 325 | 3 | 0 | 143.7 |
Stroud showed incredible poise under pressure, regularly escaping the Chargers fierce pass rush and delivering strikes downfield to Houston’s speedy receivers. He spread the ball around to 6 different targets and seemed to only get better as the game went along.
According to Pro Football Focus, Stroud’s 94.7 grade this week is the highest of any quarterback making their first career playoff start. At just 22 years old, Stroud looks like he could develop into an elite franchise QB for years to come in Houston.
Love Outduels Prescott in Packers Upset Win
While Stroud was making noise in the AFC, Jordan Love was busy leading the Green Bay Packers to a road playoff victory of their own. Love thrilled in his first career postseason start, throwing for 303 yards and 3 TDs as Green Bay went into Dallas and knocked off the Cowboys 31-28.
Love’s stat line was eerily similar to Stroud’s, drawing comparisons between the two young passers:
| Stat | Jordan Love | CJ Stroud |
|---|---|---|
| Completions | 21 | 21 |
| Passing Yards | 303 | 325 |
| Passing TD | 3 | 3 |
| Passer Rating | 141.4 | 143.7 |
The national media took notice of the symmetry, with Bleacher Report and other outlets amazed by Love and Stroud’s “wild similarity” in their breakthrough playoff performances2.
Love showed development well beyond his years, regularly hitting tight window throws and keeping plays alive with his mobility. He outdueled Dallas’ Dak Prescott, who was making his return from injury but came up short despite 312 yards and 2 TDs of his own.
What This Means for the Future at QB
With Tom Brady retiring last offseason, many wondered if the NFL was heading towards a downturn at quarterback after being dominated by all-time greats for two decades.
But this Wild Card weekend showed the position is still in good hands, with Stroud and Love headlining a new wave of young QBs taking over the league3.
Baltimore’s Joshua Dobbs also starred in his playoff debut, while veteran Patrick Mahomes showed he’s still firmly in his prime leading Kansas City to a win over Tennessee. Joe Flacco turned back the clock for Miami, Trevor Lawrence displayed growth for Jacksonville, and Dallas’ Prescott played well despite the loss.
The influx of new talent has some calling this a golden “boom period” for quarterbacks across the NFL, with Stroud and Love’s rapid development driving optimism about the position’s future4. Their early playoff success plants them firmly in the next generation of franchise QBs.
And with at least 5 QBs age 30 or younger leading teams this postseason, the upside at football’s most important position appears higher than its been in years.
What Happens Next
Stroud, Love, and the Texans now advance to face powerhouse Kansas City in the divisional round. The rookie will match up with the NFL’s best in Mahomes, providing the ultimate test after a sterling playoff debut.
Love and the Packers will look to continue their Cinderella run in San Francisco. They’ll enter as underdogs against the dual-threat talent of 49ers QB Trey Lance. But Love has Green Bay believing after his statement performance.
No matter the results next week, this Wild Card weekend showcased the bright future of the QB position across the league. Stroud and Love look poised to become household names for years to come after their dazzling playoff introductions. And with Mahomes and Josh Allen still competing at an MVP level, quarterback play remains in excellent shape moving forward.
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https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ranking-top-2024-nfl-playoff-debuts-as-texans-c-j-stroud-rams-puka-nacua-make-history/↩
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https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1747386966067523748↩
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https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/the_future_is_bright_at_quarterback_in_the_nfl_following_unreal_playoff_debuts/s1_13132_39815814↩
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https://bnnbreaking.com/sports/new-quarterback-generation-redefines-nfls-landscape/↩
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