Ranking the top 10 NFL playoff debuts by quarterbacks

10. Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers

The four-time Super Bowl champion made his debut in the 1982 divisional round against the New York Giants and put on a show, throwing for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Freddie Solomon and Dwight Clark caught 11 of Montana’s 20 completed passes for 211 yards and a score en route to a 38-24 victory. Joe Cool’s impressive performance sparked a run that ended in his first Super Bowl victory and a Hall of Fame career.

Joe Montana to Dwight Clark in the 1981 NFC Championship.

The Catch. 40 years ago today. (Jan. 10, 1982) pic.twitter.com/VRDS3SGfYO

— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) January 10, 2022