You don’t need an elite QB, but you do need your QB, however good he is, to have an elite playoff run or season.
Hurts, a pretty crappy QB, had an elite season and almost won. In a way, he did choke that game away at the end. Eagles offense got stuffed, KC got the punt return, game was over.
Brad Johnson, another crappy QB, had an excellent post season and blew out the Raiders in the SB. Didn’t choke.
Marino always choked. He was usually the reason why his team lost. Moon and Kelly same thing. All choked at crucial moments.
With how well he’s playing, Flacco could definitely get to and win another SB this year. He was at one time viewed as elite. Didn’t choke in his game. Doesn’t have the choke gene.
One question left to be answered.
Is Josh a choker or a champion? Does he have the gene?
McD is obviously a choker but sometimes a team is good enough to overcome a choking coach. Andy Reid and Wade Philips, two of the biggest chokers of all time, finally had a good enough team to overcome. It is possible.
But don’t be mistaken, the gene is still inside of them. There’s no doubt in my mind that Reid would blow it again if you put the game in his hands late. You can’t suppress the gene forever and it always shows itself at the worst times. You can see it on his face.
FEAR