5 NFL rookie QBs to win a wild card game ft. C.J. Stroud, Brock Purdy, and more

NFL rookie quarterbacks hardly enter playoff-caliber teams. The NFL rewards teams with poor regular seasons with high draft picks; hence, it's not every year that you see a first-year rookie QB dicing up defenses in the postseason.

However, a select group of first-year shot callers have emerged victorious in a wild card game. We will highlight five of the finest examples here.

Five NFL rookie QBs to win a wild card game

5. Mark Sanchez vs. Cincinnati Bengals (2009 Wild Card Round)

Mark Sanchez had an average rookie regular season with the New York Jets in 2008. The USC Trojans product recorded 2,444 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. Sanchez reached the playoffs mostly thanks to his team's impressive defense.

However, Sanchez turned it up a notch in his playoff debut, leading his team to a 24–14 win over the Cincinnati Bengals with 182 passing yards and a touchdown. Sanchez won one more game in the playoffs before he was bounced in the AFC Championship Game. He went on to have a journeyman career and retired from professional football on July 23, 2019.

4. Joe Flacco vs. Miami Dolphins (2008 Wild Card Round)

Joe Flacco had an elite campaign in 2008. Flacco amassed a stat line of 2,971 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as he led the Baltimore Ravens to a playoff berth.

Flacco faced off against the Miami Dolphins in the 2008–09 wild card round and started his side's 27–9 victory. Flacco had a decent game, racking up 135 passing yards with no touchdown or interception.

He performed better in the next game, as the Ravens won a divisional round game against the Tennessee Titans. However, his rookie postseason journey ended after a loss to archrivals the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.

3. Russell Wilson vs. Washington Redskins (2012 Wild Card Round)

Russell Wilson guided the Seattle Seahawks to the playoffs by having an impressive regular season in his rookie year in 2012. The dual-threat star amassed 3,118 passing yards and 26 touchdowns. These stats were good enough to set up a date with the Washington Redskins in the wild-card round.

Wilson guided the Seahawks to a victory against the Redskins with his arm strength and scrambling ability. He racked up 187 passing yards and 67 rushing yards in the 24–14 win. The Seahawks lost against the Atlanta Falcons in the divisional round.

2. Brock Purdy vs. Seattle Seahawks (2022 Wild Card Round)

Brock Purdy was the 2022 NFL draft's "Mr. Irrelevant," but nothing about his rookie play was irrelevant. Purdy guided the 49ers to the playoffs with poise, skill and leadership beyond his years.

He had arguably the greatest rookie quarterback performance in a wild-card game against the Seattle Seahawks. Purdy threw for 332 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and a rushing TD. He guided the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game before suffering a significant injury and losing to the Philadelphia Eagles.

1. C.J. Stroud vs. Cleveland Browns (2023 Wild Card Round)

C.J. Stroud had himself an Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2023. The Ohio State Buckeyes product helped the Texans achieve a surprise playoff berth.

Stroud impressed in his postseason debut by amassing 274 passing yards and three touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns. In doing so, he became the youngest quarterback to win a postseason game at age 22. The Texans lost their next game, but Stroud's performance remains a reminder of his sky-high potential.