Conference Championship curse for Rookie QBs: how the five other rookies fared in AFC/NFC title games

The turnaround has been simple. There’s a new period within the nation’s capital and we aren’t speaking in regards to the not too long ago inaugurated president at the moment residing within the White Home. We’re speaking in regards to the rookie QB that has lifted the Washington Commanders out of the gutter and into the NFL’s elite dialog in only a yr. Now the rookie has an opportunity to do one thing that has by no means been completed by a primary yr QB.

Daniels chasing historical past, aiming for Tremendous Sunday

In his first yr, No. 2 total choose Jayden Daniels has been the catalyst for the sort of change they’ve been craving at Northwest Stadium. After 7,000 days with no playoff win, Daniels led his staff to again to again wins within the first two playoff video games and now Washington is a recreation away from the Tremendous Bowl.

He was a shoe in for Rookie of the Yr after throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 TDs and simply 9 INTs whereas hitting 69% of his passes which was high 5 for beginning QBs within the NFL. His QB Ranking was fourth within the league behind Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen. The truth that he’s within the dialog with these QBs in his rookie yr in unimaginable. What’s much more astonishing is he has been even higher within the playoffs.

He’s now the chief in passing yards this postseason with 567 yards, 4 TD passes and no INTs and has the perfect QB score of any of the quarterbacks in then playoffs this season. The Commanders will play their NFC East rivals, the Philaldephia Eagles, on Sunday and if Daniels leads his staff to victory he would be the first rookie to win a Convention Championship.

5 rookies QBs who got here up simply in need of Tremendous Sunday

Sean King, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1999

King was taken by the Bucs within the second spherical and wasn’t presupposed to be the starter for Tampa Bay, however when QB1 Trent Dilfer went down with an damage that stored sidelined the remainder of the season. The Bucs rode their protection to the NFC Championship, however have been beat by the St. Louis Rams “Best Present on Turf” staff. King went 13-29 for 163 yards and nil TDs within the 11-6 loss.

Ben Rothlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers, 2004

The eleventh total choose within the 2004 draft, Massive Ben got here onto the scene in Pittsburgh and rapidly made himself the Steelers starter after starting the season because the QB3. Tommy Maddox was harm in Week 2 and Rothlisberger went on a document 13-0 run to start out his rookie marketing campaign. After getting the one seed within the AFC, they met the Patriots within the convention title recreation. Massive Ben went 14/24 for 224 yards and two TDs and rushed for 45 yards, however threw two picks and fumbled because the Steelers misplaced to New England 41-27.

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens, 2008

The Baltimore Ravens took Flacco within the first spherical of the 2008 NFL Draft, however wasn’t within the plans of first yr coach John Harbaugh in the course of the preseason. He was designated because the third string QB, however damage and sickness swept via the QB room an Flacco was named the starter in Week 1. Baltimore went 11-5, clinching a playoff spot, however in contrast to the earlier two rookies Flacco and the Ravens needed to play the primary spherical of the playoffs. He grew to become the primary rookie to win two playoff video games earlier than assembly the Pittsburgh Steelers within the AFC Championship. Flacco struggled, going 13/30 for 141 yards and throwing three picks within the 23-14 loss.

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets, 2009

New York took Mark Sanchez out of the College of Southern California with the fifth choose within the 2009 draft and the rookie gained the beginning job in preseason over Kellen Clemens. The Jets went 9-7 within the common season, incomes a Wild Card spot and beating the Bengals and the Chargers to get to the AFC Championship. Sanchez and the Jets met Payton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts within the convention title recreation. Sanchez performed effectively, going 17/30 for 257 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT, however New York misplaced 30-17 in Indy.

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers, 2022

The final rookie to guide his staff to the Convention Championship was Brock Purdy with the San Francisco 49ers. The previous Mr. Irrelevant, and final choose of the 2022 NFL Draft was thrown to the fireplace after accidents to Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance. Purdy took over in a Week 12 recreation when Garoppolo was sidelined for the remainder of the season and the rookie led the Niners to seven straight wins to finish the season. Purdy led the Niners to a blowout win over the Seahawks within the Wild Card spherical, and a slender victory over the Cowboys earlier than getting knocked out of the Convention Championship on the primary offensive collection for the Niners. San Fran would go on to lose to the Eagles 31-7.