Ranking all 14 playoff QBs, from Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes to Texans' C.J. Stroud

These 14 players are going to have the heaviest hand in determining who wins the Super Bowl. Quarterbacks win MVP trophies. They win Super Bowl MVP trophies. Why? Because quarterback is the most powerful position in sports, and quarterbacks have the most influence over a game’s outcome. 

Let's take some time to celebrate the field of QBs for the postseason.

I've ranked this group as a projection of how I think they'll fare in the playoffs. This isn't based, necessarily, on what they did in the regular season. You can check out my QB Stock Market to see where I rate those performances.

This is about what's to come — and which players I anticipate will be most valuable this postseason. Let's dive in.

TIER 1: THE KING

1. Patrick Mahomes , Chiefs

He has had the worst regular season of his career. And it doesn't matter. He's still — without question — the quarterback every team would want for the postseason this year.

Not only did the Chiefs finish 15-2 on the season, but Mahomes is 15-3 in the postseason in his career, and — you've probably heard — he has won the past two Super Bowls. Maybe wins aren't a quarterback stat. But I'd contend playoff wins are, in fact, a quarterback stat.

He's No. 1 until someone takes him down. Speaking of which …

TIER 2: CAPABLE OF TAKING DOWN THE KING

2. Josh Allen , Bills

Let's talk about the guy who was the last QB to beat Mahomes. Allen took down Mahomes in Buffalo in Week 11. And it required an incredible performance, highlighted by Allen's 26-yard rushing touchdown that converted a fourth down and proved to be the go-ahead score. It was a clutch play in Allen's bruising, brutal style.

Allen is dangerous, with a unique ability to conjure big plays in desperation moments. Plus,