4 Young QBs Will Decide the N.F.L. Playoffs

At 27, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes is the elder statesman of the group. The M.V.P. of Super Bowl LIV led the N.F.L. this season in yards (5,250) and touchdowns (41).

Though he left Saturday’s divisional-round game with an ankle injury, Mahomes returned to shepherd Kansas City past Jacksonville.

Joe Burrow led his Bengals to the Super Bowl last year, and the 26-year-old has been even better in his third season. He threw one more TD pass (35) and two fewer interceptions (12) than last season, taking 10 fewer sacks.

On Sunday, he kept his cool in the Buffalo snow, throwing for 242 yards and two touchdowns.

At 24, Jalen Hurts of the Eagles came into his own during his third season in the league.

He answered lingering questions about his passing with 3,701 yards thrown, and he continued to dazzle with his legs: Hurts led all QBs in rushing touchdowns with 13, and he added another on Saturday to beat the Giants.

The story of Brock Purdy, 23, has reached epic status at this point. San Francisco’s third-string rookie quarterback has now won seven straight starts since replacing Jimmy Garoppolo, averaging 235 yards passing over that span.

Purdy may have been the draft’s Mr. Irrelevant, but he’s done all the 49ers have asked of him.

One of these four 20-something quarterbacks will be lifting the Super Bowl trophy on Feb. 12, and if history is a guide, that passer will likely be named the game’s M.V.P.

With these young passers shining on the biggest stage, one thing is clear: The quarterback kids are all right.