Ranking the backup quarterbacks who could determine playoff races

With just five games remaining in the 2023-24 regular season, several teams are entering the most important stretch of the year as a handful of outfits in each conference jockey for position with a limited number of playoff spots still up for grabs.

As many as nine teams could be competing for three spots in the AFC, with six teams likely vying for the final two spots over in the NFC. Some of those clubs have relatively healthy rosters for this late juncture of the season, but others have had to rely on the strength of their depth chart to carry them. 

Here’s a look at the five backup quarterbacks who could have the biggest impact on potential playoff races:

1. Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns

Despite starting four different QBs this season, the Browns are right there in the thick of the AFC playoff picture. The AFC North is arguably the best division in football right now, with all four teams having a record of .500 or better and three of them – Baltimore (No. 2 seed), Pittsburgh (No. 5 seed) and Cleveland (No. 6 seed) – occupying one of the seven playoff spots.

At 7-5, the Browns are in a pretty solid position, but they do have three tough games left on their schedule against the Jaguars (8-4), Texans (7-5) and Bengals (6-6). Flacco looked solid in his first start of the year this past Sunday (254 yards, two touchdowns), but he’s going to have to play as good, if not better, for the next five weeks to keep the Browns in the hunt. With the No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL, Cleveland should be in every game, but the question most are wondering is whether Flacco has enough left in the tank to ride that defense to the postseason.

2. Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals

When Joe Burrow was ruled out for the rest of the season following a Week 11 loss to the Ravens, many had written the Bengals off as a serious playoff contender. But after Browning’s impressive 354-yard performance in a 34-31 overtime win over the Jaguars last week, Cincy suddenly has life in a competitive AFC.

With the weapons the Bengals have (Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Joe Mixon), there’s no shortage of targets. While he’s not anywhere close to being on Burrow’s level, Browning may just be serviceable enough to help the Bengals squeak into the playoffs. Even if Cincy doesn’t make it, Browning has a chance to at least play spoiler with games against Indianapolis, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Cleveland – all of which are battling for playoff seeding – to close out the season.

3. Joshua Dobbs, Minnesota Vikings

Just like with Browning, the Vikings’ playoff hopes appeared to be gone when Kirk Cousins was lost for the season after Week 8. But Dobbs has stepped in admirably in his absence, leading Minnesota to a 2-2 record since taking over as the starter after being acquired at the trade deadline on Oct. 31.

Though his last two outings haven’t been pretty – three touchdowns to five interceptions in a pair of losses – Dobbs’ dual-threat ability seemingly gives Minnesota a chance in every game. Unfortunately, three of the Vikings final five games are against the Lions (two) and Packers, so if the Vikings do sneak into the playoffs, they’ll have to earn it and Dobbs will have to be on his game.

4. Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts

Just one game separates the Jaguars, Colts and Texans for first place in the AFC South. The Jags are reeling after injuries to Trevor Lawrence and Christian Kirk, opening the door for Indy and Houston to strike. But of the two, it can be argued the Texans have the easier path to the playoffs with games against the Colts and Browns the most difficult ones left on their schedule. 

Conversely, the Colts have the Texans, Bengals and Steelers (all fighting for the playoffs), they’re without running back Jonathan Taylor for the time being and they have the less efficient QB. Minshew has done a solid job filling in for Anthony Richardson, but he’s averaging an interception per game over his last seven and he’s struggled against teams with good pass defenses.

5. Mitch Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers

With Kenny Pickett undergoing ankle surgery, it’s up to Trubisky to keep the ship afloat in his absence. The Steelers are 7-5 and their only easy matchup left this year is Thursday’s showdown with the New England Patriots. After that, they have Indy, Cincinnati, Seattle and Baltimore. 

If Trubisky starts most or all of those games, the Steelers are going to need some serious help from their run game and defense. Pittsburgh has lost all three games Trubisky has played in this season and he’s barely completing 59% of his passes with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s not the kind of quarterback who will go out and win games by himself, so Pittsburgh will likely be holding its breath until Pickett returns.

Honorable mention

C.J. Beathard, Jacksonville Jaguars: If Lawrence misses a significant amount of time, Beathard is the next man up. The Jags hold a one-game lead over the Texans and Colts in the AFC South and with five games remaining, they can’t afford to let either team gain any ground on them down the stretch.