The 2024 NFL postseason is set to showcase the talents of rookie quarterbacks Jayden Daniels from Washington and Bo Nix from Denver, as they make their playoff debuts on Sunday. This marks a rare occurrence of two rookie starting quarterbacks in the same postseason, with both players having had impressive seasons.
Only seven rookie quarterbacks have won playoff starts in NFL history, and no rookie QB has ever started in a Super Bowl. However, Daniels and Nix have already broken barriers by achieving significant milestones in their rookie season, setting new standards for rookie quarterbacks.
Furthermore, this year's playoffs feature a record-tying 11 out of 14 projected starting quarterbacks in their 20s, including notable names from the 2018 draft class such as Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson.
Ten teams from last season's postseason have returned this year, with only four newcomers - Denver, Minnesota, Washington, and the Chargers. This marks the fewest new teams in the playoffs since 2015, with several division winners repeating their success from the previous season.
Individual accomplishments were abundant during the regular season, with players like Ja'Marr Chase, Joe Burrow, and Trey Hendrickson leading various statistical categories for the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite their individual success, the Bengals finished with a 9-8 record and missed out on the playoffs.
On the other hand, the Seattle Seahawks posted a winning record but failed to make the playoffs due to a tiebreaker scenario for the second consecutive season. The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the postseason on a four-game losing streak, making them heavy underdogs in their upcoming matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
As the 2024 NFL postseason unfolds, fans can expect to witness the emergence of rookie talent, the return of familiar playoff contenders, and the challenges faced by teams with streaks on the line.
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