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Unexpected NFL Playoff Heroes Who Came Out of Nowhere and Changed the Game

by Jeremy Block - 1/21/2025

Unexpected NFL Playoff heroes Isiah Pacheco Kansas City Chiefs

The NFL Playoffs are supposed to be a showcase for the big names. Quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Jared Goff are supposed to dominate, right? But sometimes, it’s the guys you’d never expect that end up writing the best stories. Whether it's an undrafted rookie or a backup QB who wasn’t supposed to be anywhere near a playoff game, these are the unsung heroes who made history and changed their teams' odds during the postseason.

These players didn’t just have one good game -- they completely flipped the script on expectations, and in the process, became legends in their own right. So let’s give a round of applause for the guys who came out of nowhere and made the NFL playoffs way more interesting than we ever thought they would.

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1. Jake Delhomme - 2003 NFC Wild Card (Carolina Panthers vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

Jake Delhomme? Who would’ve thought? Delhomme was a backup quarterback for most of his career and wasn’t even supposed to be the guy in Carolina when the season started. But in the 2003 NFC Championship, Delhomme turned into the unlikeliest of heroes, helping lead the Panthers to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance.

The Panthers were overlooked heading into this game, and nobody really gave Delhomme much of a chance against the Eagles, especially with the game being played in Philly. But Delhomme -- only in his third playoff game of his career -- came ready to play. He threw for 191 yards and a touchdown. However, more impressively, he didn’t throw a single interception or get sacked the entire game.

Delhomme’s 24-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Muhsin Muahammad was the only touchdown of the game. And with the Panthers’ defense absolutely locking down the Eagles, Carolina took the game 14-3. 

2. Isiah Pacheco - 2023 AFC Championship (Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals)

Isiah Pacheco was supposed to be just another rookie running back with potential. However, in the 2023 AFC Championship, he turned into the Chiefs' unsung hero. With Patrick Mahomes battling through an injury and a shaky offensive line, Pacheco stepped up in a major way against the Cincinnati Bengals. In the 23-20 win, Pacheco may have rushed for only 26 yards on 10 carries, but he also caught five passes for 59 yards.

The rookie, a seventh-round pick out of Rutgers, provided a reliable option on a day when Mahomes' legs were limited. The Chiefs were able to control the clock and keep Joe Burrow and Co. off the field, thanks in large part to Pacheco’s performance. Pacheco proved that sometimes the biggest hero isn’t the flashy star, but the gritty rookie who does the dirty work when it matters most.

3. Elijah Mitchell - 2022 NFC Wild Card (San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys)

Does the name Elijah Mitchell ring a bell? Well, it should! Mitchell came into the 2022 playoffs as a rookie who was getting limited reps in the 49ers' explosive offense. However, against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card, he was a key player. With San Francisco looking to go deep in the postseason, Mitchell stepped up and ran for 96 yards on 27 carries, helping the 49ers control the clock and keep pressure off Jimmy Garoppolo.

Mitchell’s tough, physical running style kept the Cowboys’ defense on its heels, and his ability to convert crucial short-yardage situations helped San Francisco’s offense stay on track. With the game tied in the second half and the momentum hanging in the balance, Mitchell’s performance set the tone, and he ultimately became the hero of the game. The 49ers won 23-17. And while Jimmy Garoppolo got most of the spotlight, it was Mitchell’s contribution that helped seal the victory and pushed San Francisco further into the playoffs.

4. Nick Foles - 2017 Super Bowl (Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots)

Okay, so Nick Foles isn’t exactly a hero, but his 2017 Super Bowl performance is legendary - and that's coming from a Giants fan. Foles was supposed to be a fill-in while Carson Wentz rehabbed an ACL tear. However, instead, he did what nobody thought was possible: led the Philadelphia Eagles to a 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots to win their first Super Bowl.

Foles finished with a Super Bowl MVP performance, throwing for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns, including the iconic “Philly Special” touchdown pass to himself. For a guy who wasn’t even supposed to start the season as the main quarterback, Foles literally became an icon overnight. He wasn’t just a backup QB -- he was a Super Bowl hero, forever remembered for taking down the Patriots in one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history.

5. Chris Godwin - 2021 NFC Championship (Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Green Bay Packers)

For the real NFL fans reading this, Chris Godwin wasn’t exactly a complete unknown. However, his performance in the 2021 NFC Championship game was one of those where people couldn’t help but think, “Oh yeah, that guy really showed up.” In the high-stakes game against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, Godwin made 5 catches for 110 yards, helping Tom Brady pull off a huge comeback win.

Godwin’s plays in the second half were nothing short of clutch -- his ability to stretch the field and make big-time grabs with the game on the line helped the Bucs seal the victory, 31-26. While Brady and Rodgers got most of the attention in that game, it was Godwin that really changed the momentum. 

6. Antonio Pierce - 2007 Super Bowl (New York Giants vs. New England Patriots)

The New York Giants’ defense was stacked with heroes in Super Bowl XLII, but Antonio Pierce’s performance against the undefeated New England Patriots stands out. His impact in this Super Bowl was unreal. Pierce spearheaded a relentless pass rush that sacked Tom Brady five times and tallied 11 total tackles, including 8 solos and 3 assists. 

Pierce’s play on defense helped the Giants completely disrupt New England’s high-powered offense. The Patriots, who had been unstoppable all season, were thrown off their game entirely. The Giants' defense wasn’t supposed to be the one making history that year, but Pierce and the Big Blue defense did just that, making Brady’s perfect season a distant dream.
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