With eight quarterbacks set to face off with one another in the divisional round, here is a ranking of all eight quarterbacks that will be featured in the 2025 NFL playoffs Divisional round.
Ranking All Eight Quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Playoffs Divisional Round
8. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Nix has been doing just enough of what’s asked of him to help the Broncos secure wins down the stretch. Nix didn’t have a great showing last year against the Bills in the playoffs, but it was his first one. The Bills have a blueprint and could make things difficult again for Nix on the top-seeded Broncos.
7. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Stroud had a rough go of it against the Steelers in the wild-card round, and if you are weighing out the performances of each quarterback in the divisional round, he probably had the worst performance of those who played in the wild-card round. Stroud and his offensive lineman were having problems with the snaps, which resulted in five fumbles, losing two of them, and he also had a pick in the red zone.
Stroud is the only thing standing in the way of the Texans making the Super Bowl, as their defense is Super Bowl-caliber. If Stroud is steady throughout the rest of the playoffs, the Texans will be in the Super Bowl.
6. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Darnold will have a ton of pressure on him in the divisional round as the Seahawks host the 49ers. In his first and only playoff game last season against the Rams, when he was with the Vikings, Darnold took eight sacks and had multiple turnovers. His last few games to end the season weren’t as strong as the beginning, but with the Seahawks being the top seed in the NFC, the pressure is on.
5. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Aside from a dud against the Seattle Seahawks in the last month of the regular season, Purdy has played well down the stretch for the San Francisco 49ers. Purdy’s performance against the Eagles wasn’t exactly flawless, but he was a big reason the 49ers were able to go to Philly and pull off the upset.
4. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Aside from Josh Allen, Williams has a case to be the most talented quarterback left in the playoffs. After a slow first half, the top pick in the 20204 draft was able to make wow plays for the Bears to bring them back from a 21-6 deficit and defeat their rival, the Green Bay Packers.
3. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
For his first playoff game, Maye was up and down. He took five sacks, had two fumbles, and threw an interception; however, Maye was able to make enough plays against a tough Chargers defense to secure the first playoff win of his career. Maye has arguably been the best or second-best quarterback all season, and his toughest team this season will come in the divisional round against the Houston Texans.
The Texans dominated Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense in their wild-card matchup and have been the best defense in the NFL all season. Maye and the Patriots offense will have a big challenge on their hands; however, if Maye shines in this matchup, he would do something not many quarterbacks have been able to do against this defense.
2. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford, the likely MVP this season, orchestrated a game-winning drive to avoid an epic upset against the Carolina Panthers. Stafford’s game goes to the next level in the playoffs, and he is currently the only remaining quarterback with a Super Bowl left in the playoffs.
1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Allen was tremendous in the AFC wild-card round, knocking off the Jaguars as the sixth seed. Allen will be the best quarterback remaining in the playoffs until the Bills are eliminated.
Buffalo will be viewed as the favorite to emerge from the AFC due to Allen being the best quarterback remaining.
Main Image: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
