How Successful Are NFL Quarterbacks When They Play on Their Birthdays?

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Dec 1, 2015

How Successful Are NFL Quarterbacks When They Play on Their Birthdays?

Russell Wilson | Nov. 29, 2015

Russell Wilson and two other NFL quarterbacks have played a game on their birthdays during the 2015 season, leading us to wonder how successful has this year’s entire crop of QBs been when flinging passes on the big day. Would you believe 10-3? Here's a recap. On the day that he turned 27, Wilson had his greatest game as a Seahawk, throwing a career-high five touchdown passes in a 39-30 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Brock Osweiler | Nov. 22, 2015

On the day that he turned 25, Brock Osweiler made his first NFL start and helped lead the Denver Broncos to a 17-15 victory at Chicago. He capped his first drive with a 48-yard catch-and-run touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas.

Sam Bradford | Nov. 8, 2015

On the day that he turned 28, Sam Bradford connected with wideout Jordan Matthews on a 41-yard touchdown pass in overtime to give Philadelphia a hard-fought 33-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys. He's believed to be the first QB to start and win a regular-season overtime game on his birthday.

Ryan Fitzpatrick | Nov. 24, 2013

On the day that he turned 31, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns as the Tennessee Titans edged Oakland 23-19. The decisive TD came on a 10-yard pass from Fitzpatrick to Kendall Wright with 10 seconds remaining.

Philip Rivers | Dec. 8, 2013

Philip Rivers has played on his birthday once in his 12 seasons in the NFL and the Chargers made sure his 32nd was a happy one as San Diego rolled over Eli Manning and the New York Giants 37-14. Rivers completed 21 of 28 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns.

Brandon Weeden | Oct. 14, 2012

After losing his first five games as a rookie, Brandon Weeden earned his first NFL career victory on the day that he turned 29. Weeden threw two touchdown passes in the 34-24 win over Cincinnati, helping to snap an 11-game Browns losing streak that dated to the 2011 season.

Mark Sanchez | Nov. 11, 2012

Mark Sanchez might just as well want to forget his 22nd birthday. In his first NFL game with his former college coach on the opposite sideline, Sanchez completed only 9 of 22 passes for 124 yards with one interception, one lost fumble and no TDs as the Jets lost 28-7 to Pete Carroll's Seahawks.

Aaron Rodgers | Dec. 2, 2012

Aaron Rodgers got one of his favorite receivers back on his 29th birthday—Greg Jennings returned after missing seven weeks with an injury—and both Green Bay stars had the misfortune of watching Adrian Peterson shred the Packers defense for 210 rushing yards. But Mr. Rodgers wasn't too shabby himself in his only Birthday Game, completing 27 of 35 passes for 286 yards with one touchdown and one interception as Green Bay came out of top, 23-14.

Matt Hasselbeck | Sept. 25, 2011

On the day that he turned 35, Matt Hasselbeck threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Graham with 4:24 remaining, giving the Tennessee Titans a 17-14 win over the Denver Broncos.

Carson Palmer | Dec. 27, 2009

In his 12 years in the NFL, Carson Palmer has had only one Birthday Game and the day he turned 30 was bittersweet. He threw two touchdown passes in a 17-10 victory over Kansas City that clinched a playoff spot for the Bengals for the second time in 19 years. However, the game was played only five days after the team had flown to Louisiana to bury former teammate Chris Henry, and hearts were understandably still heavy.

Joe Flacco | Jan. 16, 2010

On the day that he turned 25, Joe Flacco was intercepted twice and threw for only 189 yards as the Ravens lost a divisional playoff game 20-3 at Indianapolis.

Eli Manning | Jan. 3, 2010

Eli Manning has played on his birthday once, losing 44-7 to Brett Favre (four TD passes) and the Vikings on a day when Eli completed 17 of 23 passes for 141 yards and one interception. The Giants lost for the eighth time in 11 games and missed the playoffs. It was the worst passing yardage game of the year for Eli, who turned 29 and was replaced by David Carr in the second half.

Matt Hasselbeck | Sept. 25, 2005

On the day that he turned 30, Matt Hasselbeck led the Seahawks on three 80-yard scoring drives and watched Shaun Alexander score a record-tying four touchdowns in a 37-12 demolition of Arizona.