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The Wild Card round of the 2022 NFL playoffs saw some players earn elite status by putting up impressive performances. Six games were played in the Wild Card round, and each had a player who made the biggest contribution to their team's victory.
These teams will progress to the divisional round of the playoffs, where they will have the opportunity to compete for a chance to make an appearance in their respective championship games.
Here is a list of the best players from the Wild Card round of the 2022 playoffs:
#1. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy's brilliant performance for the San Francisco 49ers against the Seattle Seahawks is one that will be remembered for years to come. He is among a select few quarterbacks who have led their teams to a playoff win in their debut season, which is an impressive accomplishment.
Purdy threw for 332 yards, three touchdowns and recorded a rushing touchdown, showcasing his versatility as a quarterback. Labeled as "Mr. Irrelevant" due to being the last pick in the draft, Purdy has proven himself to belong in the NFL.
Purdy has risen to the occasion and become a key player for the 49ers. He has gone from having little hope of becoming a starting quarterback to being a major contributor to the 49ers' success. He could potentially lead them to the Super Bowl. It is truly a sensational story.
#2. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Tom Brady had never lost to the Dallas Cowboys before, going 7-0 in his storied career. As such, there were serious doubts about the Cowboys' chances of progressing to the Divisional round of the playoffs. They had to travel to face Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a highly anticipated matchup.
Dak Prescott had a string of poor performances leading up to the Wild Card round, however, he made up for it here. Prescott proved most people wrong as he put on an MVP-caliber performance.
Despite having a statistic of throwing at least one interception in every 25 throws, Prescott threw for 305 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. He threw the ball 33 times and completed 25 passes. This impressive performance guaranteed their spot in the Divisional round.
#3. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence had one of the worst first halves in playoff history. He threw four interceptions, with two coming in the first five minutes of the game.The Jacksonville Jaguars were down 27-0 in the second quarter, making it seem as though the game was over.
However, Lawrence managed to make a resurgence just before halftime and this continued for the rest of the game. He showed determination and belief as he led the team to a historic comeback that ranks as the third largest in playoff history.
Additionally, it was the first time that a team with a negative five turnover differential had won a playoff game. By the end of the contest, Lawrence had thrown for 288 yards and four touchdowns.
#4. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills' game against the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs saw Josh Allen put in a great performance. He made a few errors, throwing two interceptions as he was sacked seven times on the night.
Allen was able to rally his team to victory. He made up for his mistakes by throwing the ball 39 times for 352 yards and three touchdowns. He led the Bills to a win over the Dolphins and they have booked their place in the Divisional round, where they will face the Cincinnati Bengals.
#5. Daniel Jones, New York Giants
The New York Giants entered the game as underdogs against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings had an impressive regular season, ending with a record of 13-4. They also had arguably the best wide receiver in the league, Justin Jefferson.
The Giants had a solid season but were unpredictable and inconsistent when it mattered most. How they would perform on the big stage was a real concern for their fanbase.
However, those concerns were unfounded. Daniel Jones put in an impressive performance, throwing for 301 yards, rushing for 78 yards, and scoring two passing touchdowns. This helped the Giants upset the Vikings and progress through to the next round of the postseason.
Saquon Barkley, the Giants' running back, also deserves mention for his total of 109 receiving and rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
#6. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Going into the Wild Card game against the Baltimore Ravens, the Bengals were clear favorites with Lamar Jackson absent from the Ravens lineup.
Joe Burrow and the rest of the Bengals squad survived a scare, but played well enough to progress. Burrow put up a solid performance of 209 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and one rushing touchdown.
Ultimately, the Bengals managed a 24-17 win and they have to thank their defense for that. Burrow and company now look to the Divisional round, where they will face the Bills in a very intriguing matchup.
