Backup Plans
Claimed off waivers only two days earlier, this quarterback directed a 98-yard game-winning drive to help the Rams defeat Las Vegas in December 2022.
Baker Mayfield
This Buffalo receiver caught four touchdown passes in the Bills’ 2021 divisional-round loss at Kansas City, setting an NFL postseason record.
Gabe Davis
This team began the 2020 season with 11 consecutive victories but failed to win a playoff game.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Green Bay traded up to select this quarterback 26th overall in 2020, beginning three years of uncertainty behind Aaron Rodgers.
Jordan Love
After briefly leaving the field with cramps, this quarterback returned to throw the winning touchdown as Baltimore defeated Cleveland in a wild 2020 Monday night game.
Lamar Jackson
This former Ravens Pro Bowler came off his couch in 2023, won four of five starts for Cleveland and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Joe Flacco
His 98-yard “Fumble in the Jungle” return broke a fourth-quarter tie and sent Cincinnati past Baltimore in the 2022 wild-card round.
Sam Hubbard
At 7–9, this team became the third division champion in NFL history to finish a full regular season with a losing record.
Washington Football Team
The Giants traded down before selecting this Florida receiver 20th overall in 2021; he would later score three touchdowns in a Super Bowl for Kansas City.
Kadarius Toney
With Cincinnati’s season on the line in 2024, this receiver caught the overtime touchdown that finally finished a back-and-forth thriller against Denver.
Tee Higgins
In his first NFL start, this Jets quarterback stunned Cincinnati with 405 passing yards and three touchdowns on Halloween 2021.
Mike White
Facing third-and-14 late against Cleveland, this Chiefs backup scrambled for 13 yards before completing the game-clinching fourth-down pass.
Chad Henne
Detroit avoided a loss for the first time under Dan Campbell when it played this team to a rainy 16–16 tie in 2021.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite having recently guaranteed Kirk Cousins $100 million, Atlanta shocked the 2024 draft by selecting this left-handed quarterback eighth overall.
Michael Penix Jr.
A tie would have sent both teams to the playoffs, but this Raiders kicker eliminated the Chargers with a game-winning overtime field goal in the 2021 finale.
Daniel Carlson
Five days after Minnesota acquired him from Arizona, this quarterback replaced an injured Jaren Hall and engineered a comeback victory without knowing the entire playbook.
Joshua Dobbs
This second string Rams TE snagged a game winning touchdown to break the hearts of every Panthers fan in the 2025 NFC Wild Card Game
Colby Parkinson
After losing 3–0 to Minnesota, this team scored 63 points just four days later and cost Chargers coach Brandon Staley his job.
Las Vegas Raiders
No quarterback came off the board until Pittsburgh used the 20th selection of the 2022 draft on this hometown college star.
Kenny Pickett
Trailing Baltimore by three touchdowns entering the fourth quarter, this quarterback led Miami to a stunning 42–38 comeback victory in 2022.
Tua Tagovailoa
With every quarterback on Denver’s roster ruled out because of COVID-19 protocols, this practice-squad receiver was forced to start under center against New Orleans in 2020.
Kendall Hinton
This Packers safety intercepted Dak Prescott and returned it 64 yards for a touchdown as Green Bay built a shocking 27–0 lead in Dallas.
Darnell Savage
In 2020, this NFC team scored 46 points in Dallas despite its quarterback throwing for only 123 yards and completing nine passes.
Washington Football Team
After spending the entire first night sitting in the draft’s green room, this Kentucky quarterback finally went to Tennessee with the 33rd selection.
Will Levis
Detroit’s apparent winning two-point conversion against Dallas was erased when officials ruled that this offensive lineman had not properly reported as eligible.
Taylor Decker