Big 12 Leads All College Football Conferences With Most NFL Playoff Starting Quarterbacks
The Big 12 is always well-represented in the NFL Playoffs, but this year seems to be a special case. The conference has long been known for producing some of the best quarterbacks in the game, and that has certainly translated to the next level.
This season, Big 12 quarterbacks have been especially impressive, with five of them leading their respective teams to the NFL Playoffs. That’s over one-third of the playoff field, and in fact, it’s the most of any conference.
Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers are the No. 1 seed in the NFC at 12-5 and will have a first-round bye this weekend. Purdy is having an MVP-caliber season in his second season, with 4,280 yards and 31 touchdown passes with 11 interceptions, adding 144 yards and two scores on the ground.
Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8) are the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoff picture after winning the NFC South and will play host to Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) in the first round. Mayfield has had a resurgent season in a contract year, throwing for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns with 10 interceptions, adding 163 yards and a score on the ground. Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts continues to be one of the most explosive offensive weapons in the league with 4,463 total yards and 38 total touchdowns.
In the AFC playoff bracket, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs secured the No. 3 seed with an 11-6 season. Mahomes is having a tough year (by his standards) after winning his second MVP award in 2022, with issues at wide receiver leading to 4,183 yards and 27 passing touchdowns. The Chiefs will host Tyreek Hill and the Maimi Dolphins in the first round.
Finally, Mason Rudolph and the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8) snuck into the playoffs by securing the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoff picture in an incredibly tough AFC North. Rudolph has started each of the past three games in Pittsburgh, leading them to a 3-0 record in those games, including a 17-10 win over Baltimore (13-4) in Week 18. On the year, Rudolph has 719 yards and three passing touchdowns.
