NFL Rookie Quarterbacks: Which Ones Can Make the Playoffs?

Rookie quarterbacks are supposed to be a sign of optimism for a team that a brighter future is coming.

But, sometimes, that progress comes faster than expected, and rookie quarterbacks make the NFL playoffs. BetMGM’s NFL odds give Mac Jones the best chance among rookie QBs to win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Does that mean he has the best shot at making the playoffs? Let’s take a look.

Mac Jones

Out of the five rookie quarterbacks starting games, Jones appears to be the best set up to make the playoffs, considering that the New England Patriots are the only team here with a record of .500 or better.

The Patriots sit half a game behind the Los Angeles Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers after beating the Chargers on the road last week.

Has Jones been great this season? He does not stand out when looking at the entire league, but he does when looking at other rookie quarterbacks in 2021.

So far, Jones has 1,997 passing yards, nine touchdown passes, and six interceptions. All of those top the rookie class, and he only looks to be getting more comfortable considering that the Patriots have won their last two games.

The Patriots will have tests coming up, with Jones taking on Carolina’s defense on the road next week. Then New England hosts Cleveland in a game that could have tiebreaker implications for a wild card spot.

We will find out what Jones is made of, but for now, he has the best shot of making the playoffs out of any rookie QB.

Justin Fields

The rookie QB class does not inspire much hope for playoff appearances this year, but out of everybody else left, Fields may be the next most likely candidate to make it.

Chicago is sitting at 3-5, and it appears that no matter what, Fields will keep the starting QB job in Chicago for the rest of this season unless he gets hurt.

This year, Justin Fields has a 2-4 record as a starter but has lost his last three games. There have been some challenging moments with just three touchdown passes and seven interceptions so far. Plus, he is sitting at just under 1,000 passing yards (991).

So, despite all of this, why do the Bears have a chance to make the playoffs? Because truthfully, the race for the last wild card spot in the NFC appears to be wide open.

As of Week 9, the Carolina Panthers hold the last wild card spot at 4-4, putting the Bears just one game behind. However, they do have a challenging schedule ahead, with four of their next five games being against teams that are over .500 right now.

With that said, their competition has certainly looked vulnerable. So it wouldn’t be a massive surprise if the Bears somehow managed to sneak into the playoffs.

Which Rookie Quarterbacks Will Make the Playoffs?

These two rookie quarterbacks are the most likely to make the playoffs, in my opinion. There are others like Zach Wilson, Trevor Lawrence, Davis Mills, and Trey Lance, who’s lurking on the 49ers’ bench, but Jones and Fields seem to have the most realistic path.

Do you agree with these picks? Whether you do or not, you can make your prediction and check the latest sports betting odds here at BetMGM.

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