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Who are the best quarterbacks in NFL playoff history? Tony Camino dives into the top ten quarterbacks in wins in NFL postseason history.
With another victory against the Bills in the Divisional Round, Patrick Mahomes has joined the ranks of NFL greats in terms of playoff wins. His winning percentage is the best among those on the list, making him the sole current contender to approach Tom Brady's records.
Every decade is represented on this list, as there appear to be one or two dominant quarterbacks in each era who excel in the postseason. While most are grouped with similar postseason histories, a couple at the top stand out from the rest.
Who are the quarterbacks with the most playoff wins? Which other quarterbacks are close to the top in terms of postseason victories? Let's delve into the details.
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#9b. Aaron Rodgers: Green Bay Packers
Playoff Record: 11-10
Super Bowl Wins: 1
The current New York Jets quarterback has just made it onto the list, tying with 11 playoff wins as a starter in his postseason career. Troy Aikman also achieved 11 playoff wins, but due to limited space, not all could be listed. Aaron Rodgers made his playoff debut in 2010, only two years after Brett Favre's departure. Rodgers secured his lone Super Bowl victory in 2011 against the Steelers, thanks to a stellar performance of 304 yards and three touchdowns. As he gears up for a comeback in 2024, Rodgers aims to further ascend the ranks for the most playoff wins.
#9a. Roger Staubach: Dallas Cowboys
Playoff Record: 11-6
Super Bowl Wins: 2
The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Roger Staubach, made playoff starts every year from 1971 to 1979, except for 1974. Staubach secured a Super Bowl victory in 1972 during his inaugural postseason, showcasing a remarkable performance with 321 yards and zero interceptions throughout the playoffs. The Cowboys claimed another Super Bowl win with Staubach in 1978 but faced defeat in two Super Bowls in 1976 and 1979. Despite the different landscape of the 70s, leading to some low stats for Staubach, he consistently delivered victories in postseason games for Dallas.
#7c. Brett Favre: Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Playoff Record: 13-11
Super Bowl Wins: 1
The former Green Bay Packers quarterback, Brett Favre, started in 24 playoff games spanning from 1993 to 2009, including two games every postseason from 1993 to 1998. Favre clinched his lone Super Bowl victory in 1997 against the New England Patriots, throwing for an impressive 617 yards with five touchdowns and just one interception throughout the postseason. Desmond Howard earned the Super Bowl MVP for his game-changing kick return that sealed the victory. Favre also played in two other Super Bowls in the years preceding and following the win. Additionally, he contributed to winning two playoff games with the Minnesota Vikings in 2009.
#7b. Ben Roethlisberger: Pittsburgh Steelers
Playoff Record: 13-10
Super Bowl Wins: 2
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is among the quarterbacks with 13 career playoff wins. Commencing in his rookie year in 2004, Big Ben secured his first playoff victory, ultimately leading to his first Super Bowl triumph in 2006. He went on to win another Super Bowl in 2009 but faced a Super Bowl loss in 2011. Throughout his entire career until 2021, Roethlisberger consistently reached the playoffs, but in the later stages of his career, most seasons concluded with disappointment.
#7a. Patrick Mahomes: Kansas City Chiefs
Playoff Record: 13-3
Super Bowl Wins: 2
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stands as one of two current players on this list, boasting the most impressive winning percentage. The Chiefs' standout player is set to compete in his sixth consecutive AFC Championship game, achieving this feat within six years as a starter in the league. To date, the only two quarterbacks in NFL history to beat him in the postseason are Tom Brady (twice) and Joe Burrow. Following his inaugural road postseason victory, Mahomes is determined to enhance his resume with another championship ring in this playoff run.
#3c. Terry Bradshaw: Pittsburgh Steelers
Playoff Record: 14-5
Super Bowl Wins: 4
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw achieved postseason appearances every year of his career, spanning from 1972 to 1979, securing four championship rings during that impressive run. Throughout his postseason career, Bradshaw amassed over 3,800 yards in 19 games, delivering 30 touchdowns and 26 interceptions. Notably, in two of his championship victories, Bradshaw earned the Super Bowl MVP, showcasing remarkable performances with 300 yards and multiple touchdowns. With one of the best winning percentages among quarterbacks on the list, Bradshaw's four rings stand as a testament to his remarkable career achievements.
#3b. John Elway: Denver Broncos
Playoff Record: 14-7
Super Bowl Wins: 2
Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway started his playoff career in 1985 with a first-round exit, but his trajectory changed significantly when he reached the Super Bowl in 1987. Although he faced setbacks with losses in three Super Bowls (1987, 1988, 1990), he later experienced early playoff exits. Elway's fortunes shifted during his final two playoff runs, clinching the Super Bowl both times, including one Super Bowl MVP award. After enduring numerous years of falling short, Elway showcased dominance in his ultimate two seasons in 1997 and 1998, concluding his illustrious career with a total of 14 playoff wins.
#3a. Peyton Manning: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos
Playoff Record: 14-13
Super Bowl Wins: 2
Quarterback Peyton Manning, winning playoff games with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, made playoff starts from 2000 to 2016, participating in 27 games during that period. Manning achieved the remarkable feat of winning one Super Bowl with each team. His lone Super Bowl MVP accolade came in 2007 against the Bears, where he threw for 247 yards and a touchdown. Concluding his illustrious career with a Super Bowl victory in his final season, Manning's 14 playoff wins currently tie him for third place on the all-time list.
#2. Joe Montana: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs
Playoff Record: 16-7
Super Bowl Wins: 4
San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Joe Montana ended with an impressive 5,772 yards in his postseason career, securing victories in 16 of his 23 starts – the second-highest total at the moment. His inaugural playoff journey with San Francisco in 1982 culminated in his first Super Bowl triumph and Super Bowl MVP accolade. Montana continued his success, claiming four titles with the Niners throughout his legendary career. In 1993, he joined the Chiefs to augment his playoff win total, although he couldn't guide them beyond the AFC title game.
#1. Tom Brady: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Playoff Record: 35-13
Super Bowl Wins: 7
New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady holds the record as the winningest quarterback in NFL history by a significant margin, boasting 35 playoff victories and seven Super Bowl triumphs, along with five Super Bowl MVPs. Brady clinched his first title in his debut playoff run in 2002 and secured his final ring with the Patriots in 2019. He continued his remarkable success, winning another championship with the Buccaneers in 2022, concluding his illustrious playoff career with impressive stats of 13,400 yards and 88 touchdowns.
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