Josh Allen walked off the field at Empower Field on Saturday night with tears in his eyes after another painful postseason defeat for the Buffalo Bills. Four turnovers. Overtime. Another season ending without even a Super Bowl appearance, let alone a Lombardi Trophy.
The cameras caught Allen on the sideline after the 33–30 loss, looking devastated and whispering, “I feel like I let my teammates down tonight.” It was his seventh career playoff loss now the most among any active starting in the NFL Quarterbacks.
What makes Allen’s postseason story so difficult to understand is just how good he has been in January. He owns a career playoff passer rating of 101.5, with 29 touchdowns and only six interceptions across 15 games. He has the arm strength, the athleticism, and the leadership traits of a championship quarterback.Active NFL Quarterbacks
And yet, the Super Bowl remains out of reach.
Allen and the Bills Downed in Denver
But Saturday’s debacle against Denver a game where Buffalo controlled the ball for
over 40 minutes and converted 10 of 15 third downs ended the same way it always
does for the superstar QB. He fumbled twice, threw two picks, and could only watch on
as Bo Nix engineered a game-winning walkoff field goal drive after Allen’s overtime
interception flipped possession. Can’t win by shooting yourself in the foot like that. Allen
knows it. Bills Mafia knows it. Everyone knows it.
The Broncos now have problems of their own. Nix broke his ankle in that game-winning
drive, and with backup Jarrett Stidham set to start the AFC Championship game, online
betting sites are expecting the worst. The popular LuckyRebel now prices Denver as a
+1000 outsider to win the Super Bowl, almost solely down to that injury. But at least
they remain in with a chance, unlike Allen and the Bills.
The 33-30 stunner at Mile High was the seventh playoff loss of Josh Allen’s career. But
where does that put him in terms of most postseason losses by an active QB? And, who
joins him on the list? Let’s take a look.
Josh Allen – 7 Playoff Losses
No quarterback on this list has experienced more postseason heartbreak.
Three of Allen’s losses have come at the hands of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. None hurt more than the infamous “13 seconds” game in January 2022, when Allen threw for 329 yards and four touchdowns, only to watch Kansas City drive into field‑goal range in the final moments and win in overtime.
Kansas City has eliminated Buffalo four times in the playoffs, and those defeats have shaped the narrative around Allen’s career. What made this year’s loss even harder to swallow was the absence of those usual rivals. The Chiefs and Bengals were both out of the picture another team that has dumped Buffalo out leaving the door wide open for Buffalo.
Instead, another opportunity slipped away.
Dak Prescott – 5 Playoff Losses
Dak Prescott’s postseason résumé tells a different kind of story one shaped by expectations, pressure, and repeated early exits.
Prescott is 2–5 in playoff games, and the Cowboys have not advanced past the Divisional Round since 2016. Several of those losses came against the San Francisco 49ers, including the infamous 2021 Wild Card game that ended with a failed quarterback draw as time expired.
The following season brought another loss to San Francisco, and then came the stunning home defeat to Green Bay, when Dallas entered as heavy favorites and lost 48–32. Prescott threw for over 400 yards and three touchdowns, but defensive breakdowns and coaching mistakes overshadowed his performance.
In Dallas, regular‑season success is no longer enough. Until Prescott delivers in January, his playoff record will continue to define his legacy.
Lamar Jackson – 5 Playoff Losses
Lamar Jackson’s playoff record remains one of the most debated topics in the league.
Despite two MVP awards and dominant regular‑season performances, Jackson is just 3–5 in postseason games. Across those appearances, he has nine touchdowns and nine turnovers a troubling balance for a quarterback of his caliber.
The 2023 AFC Championship loss to Kansas City stands out. With a chance to make it a one‑score game in the fourth quarter, Jackson underthrew a pass in the end zone that was intercepted, effectively ending Baltimore’s comeback hopes.
Some losses were not entirely his fault, including the 2019 Divisional Round defeat when Tennessee controlled the game on the ground. Still, the pattern of turnovers has raised difficult questions.
Can Jackson’s dynamic style translate consistently to playoff football? Or does the pressure change the way he plays? Until he breaks through, those questions will remain.
Conclusion
Playoff success defines quarterbacks more than any regular‑season statistic ever could. For Josh Allen, Dak Prescott, and Lamar Jackson, talent has never been the issue. All three have the tools to win championships.
What separates legends from stars is what happens in January.
Until one of these quarterbacks lifts the Lombardi Trophy, their postseason losses will continue to shape the story of their careers. The window is still open but in the NFL, it never stays open for long.
FAQs
Who has the most playoff losses among active NFL quarterbacks?
Josh Allen currently has the most, with seven postseason defeats.
Has Josh Allen ever reached a Super Bowl?
No, Allen has not yet appeared in a Super Bowl despite multiple deep playoff runs.
Why are Lamar Jackson’s playoff performances questioned?
Because his turnover rate is high in the postseason and several key mistakes have come in critical moments.
