Throughout this NFL season, many quarterbacks have missed at least one game due to injury, leading to more backups getting a chance to shine.
Injuries started in Week 1 when Aaron Rodgers took the field for the first time for the New York Jets. A couple of plays into the game, Rodgers tore his Achilles. Along with Rodgers, six other quarterbacks have been sidelined for the season.
The Browns have faced the biggest challenge with quarterbacks this season. They have had a total of four different starters at the position.
Their last hope was 38-year-old Joe Flacco, and he has risen to the occasion. Flacco has thrown for 300 yards in four out of the five games he has played in, winning four.
Then there is Steeler third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph. Due to starting quarterback Kenny Pickett being injured and backup Mitch Trubisky being benched, the Steelers went with Rudolph for the last three regular season games. They won all three.
Both Rudolph and Flacco will be playing in playoff games. They have both played great for their teams so far and have the chance to prove themselves even more.
An earlier example of a backup quarterback thriving in the playoffs is Nick Foles on the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. Following starting quarterback Carson Wentz being injured, Foles led the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory.
But sometimes, the backup quarterback magic runs out. Third-string Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito is one example. After Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor were injured, he was named the starter.
DeVito won three straight games for the Giants, but eventually slumped and was replaced by Taylor.
Backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs of the Minnesota Vikings also started strong, winning his first two games as the starter. His last two games did not go well, and he was eventually benched.
