The best playoff debuts in NFL history

This weekend brought us the playoff debuts of several current and future NFL stars as Mac Jones, Kyle Murray, Joe Burrow, and Ja’Marr Chase all took to the field for their respective teams.

It was an especially impressive debut for the presumed 2021 rookie of the year, Chase, and his quarterback, Burrow, who previously won the 2019 CFP National Championship Game as members of the LSU Tigers.

As we wait to see what this dynamic duo does in their next NFL playoff game, let’s look back at the top five playoff debuts of all time.

5. Lamar Smith, Miami Dolphins (2000)

The Miami Dolphins found themselves in a matchup with the Peyton Manning-led Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 30, 2000 in the AFC Wild Card round. The Dolphins were the No. 3 seed, but were still listed as 1.5-point underdogs.

In a thrilling game that ended with a Dolphins victory in overtime, Miami running back Lamar Smith dominated the game to keep Manning off the field and help secure the win. Smith was a workhorse, carrying 40 times for 209 yards and two touchdowns. He also added three catches for another 18 yards.

Hunt only added 11 more yards to his career postseason totals after his debut, but in the ultimate one-hit wonder game, he finished things off in overtime with a 17-yard touchdown run to seal the deal in dramatic walk-off style.

4. Joe Montana, San Franciso 49ers (1982)

The eight-time All-Pro and four-time Super Bowl champion had to start somewhere, and he did so in impressive fashion in 1982 with a big win against the New York Giants.

The San Francisco 49ers won 38-24 as Montana went 20-for-31 for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Montana began a memorable career of postseason success by connecting with tight end Dwight Clark five times for 104 yards. The Hall of Famer from Notre Dame ended the game with a 104.8 quarterback rating.

3. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers (1994)

Before he became the NFL’s Ironman with 297 consecutive games, Favre was a young gunslinger still making his name in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers. He began building his legend in his playoff debut, 29 starts into his career, with a win against the Detroit Lions on Jan. 8, 1994 in the wild card round.

Favre went 15-26 for 204 yards and three touchdowns for a 105.3 quarterback rating. What made his debut so much more exciting was, in true Favre fashion, he added drama to the events by tossing a 40-yard touchdown pass with 55 seconds left in the game to take the lead.

The Packers held on to win the game 28-24, and the legacy of Favre as a gunslinging quarterback capable of anything was born.

2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (2010)

Excluding a token appearance while still backing up Favre, Aaron Rodgers began his playoff career on Jan. 10, 2010 with a shootout against the Arizona Cardinals.

In the NFC Wild Card game, Rodgers showed the Packers would still be in good hands with a 28-for-42 performance that included 423 yards and four touchdowns.

Rodgers and the Packers were defeated 51-45, but blame for the defeat certainly couldn’t be laid at Rodgers’ feet. The MVP quarterback and certain Hall of Famer has since played in many more big postseason games after exploding on the scene in his first.

1. Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams (2000)

The greatest debut in postseason history belongs to a man that had only made 16 NFL starts at the time after working his way up from the Arena League.

Kurt Warner made his postseason debut on Jan. 16, 2000, and led the St. Louis Rams to a convincing 49-37 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the league's divisional round.

Just like he’d done all year, Warner dominated through the air with the “Greatest Show on Turf”. He went 27-for-33 for 391 yards and five touchdowns, displaying incredible accuracy as he helped the Rams put up 49 points. Isaac Bruce was his favorite target, tallying 133 yards, while running back Marshall Faulk added 80 through the air.

The Rams went on to win the Super Bowl in an unforgettable matchup with the Tennessee Titans, capping off an incredible playoff debut from the well-regarded pocket passer.