The NFL playoffs are unique among the four major American sports. The MLB, NHL, and NBA play playoff series at each postseason stage, but the NFL is winner-take-all in a single game.
This adds immense pressure, with every play in every postseason game highly scrutinized, as one mistake could be the difference between your postseason continuing and your team heading home.
Plenty of teams have stellar regular-season performances, but when the playoffs come, they crumble on the biggest stage. Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, for example, led his team to the 2026 Divisional Round of the AFC playoffs but had four interceptions in the first half against the New England Patriots.
Here is more on the players with the most turnovers in a playoff game and how Stroud's disastrous showing against the Patriots compares.
MORE: Meet C.J. Stroud's family, from mom Kimberely to father in prison
Who has the most turnovers in an NFL playoff game?
Carson Palmer and Jake Delhomme share the infamous record for most turnovers in a single playoff game. The irony is that they did it against each other's teams, but seven years apart.
Palmer had six turnovers in the 2016 NFC Championship Game. He was the quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals and was taking on the Carolina Panthers. Palmer threw four interceptions and lost two fumbles.
Delhomme was the Carolina quarterback taking on Arizona in the 2009 NFC Divisional Round. He also had six turnovers, but he threw five interceptions and lost one fumble.
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Most turnovers in an NFL playoff game
Here is a look at the players with the most turnovers in a single playoff game.
| Position | Name | Game | Turnovers | INTs | Fumbles Lost |
| 1 | Carson Palmer, Cardinals | 2016 NFC Championship vs. Panthers | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Jake Delhomme | 2009 NFC Divisional vs. Cardinals | 6 | 5 | 1 | |
| 3 | Brian Hoyer | 2016 AFC Wild Card vs. Chiefs | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| 4 | Josh Allen | 2026 AFC Divisional vs. Broncos | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| CJ Stroud | 2026 AFC Divisional vs. Patriots | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Jared Goff | 2025 NFC Divisional vs. Commanders | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| Justin Herbert | 2025 Wild Card vs. Texans | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Trevor Lawrence | 2023 AFC Wild Card vs. Chargers | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Ben Roethlisberger | 2021 AFC Wild Card vs. Browns | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Russell Wilson | 2015 NFC Championship vs. Packers | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Andrew Luck | 2014 AFC Divisional vs. Patriots | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Tom Brady | 2010 AFC Wild Card vs. Ravens | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| Chad Pennington | 2009 AFC Wild Card vs. Ravens | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Ben Roethlisberger | 2008 AFC Wild Card vs. Jaguars | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| Jake Plummer | 2006 AFC Championship vs. Steelers | 4 | 2 | 2 | |
| Eli Manning | 2006 NFC Wild Card vs. Panthers | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| Brett Favre | 2005 NFC Wild Card vs. Vikings | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Peyton Manning | 2004 AFC Championship vs. Patriots | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| Kordell Stewart | 2002 AFC Championship vs. Patriots | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| Brad Johnson | 2002 NFC Wild Card vs. Eagles | 4 | 4 | 0 |
Caron Palmer vs. Panthers (2016)
Palmer and the Cardinals took on the Panthers in the 2016 NFC Championship Game. With the winner of the game heading to the Super Bowl, the Arizona quarterback had one of the worst performances of his entire career. On the Cardinals' first drive of the second quarter, Palmer was sacked and fumbled the ball.
Later in the quarter, he was strip-sacked for the second time. When the Panthers got the ball, they threw an interception right back to Arizona. Palmer, on the next play, responded with an interception of his own. At halftime, Carolina was up 24-7.
The Cardinals had a turnover-free third quarter, but were unable to get back into the game. Palmer threw his second interception with 11:48 left in the game. He threw a pick-six with 5:11 left and another interception with 4:38 remaining. Arizona lost the game 49-15.
MORE: What is C.J. Stroud's full name?
Jake Delhomme vs. Cardinals (2009)
Delhomme was in the NFL for 15 years. One of the worst games of his career came against Arizona in the 2009 NFC Divisional Round. The veteran quarterback fumbled after a sack in the first quarter. He was picked off on the Panthers' first drive of the second quarter, and threw his second interception of the game with 5:22 left in the first half.
Similar to what happened to Palmer seven years later, the Panthers' defense had an interception, but on the very next play, Delhomme threw an interception right back to the Cardinals.
Delhomme's fourth interception of the game came with 14:11 left in regulation. He threw his fifth and final pick with 10:54 left in the game. Carolina would go on to lose 33-13.
Brian Hoyer vs. Chiefs (2016)
Hoyer played in the NFL from 2009 to 2023. He was with the Houston Texans during the 2016 NFL playoffs. Houston matched up with the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2016 Wild Card Round. Hoyer couldn't get anything going in the loss and finished 15-34 with 136 yards and five turnovers.
After a three-and-out on their first drive, Hoyer threw an interception on their second. After the Texans' defense had an interception of their own two plays later, but after a long drive, the quarterback was strip-sacked.
In the second quarter, on second and goal from the three-yard line, Hoyer was intercepted. He also threw an interception on the Texans' next drive. The quarterback went turnover-free in the third quarter, but threw his final interception with 6:25 left in the game.