Rookie quarterbacks are taking this NFL season by storm. Two rookie quarterbacks have locked up ten win seasons and a playoff spot. Another is celebrating a Pro Bowl bid and aiming for a division title. Either way you look at it, Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, and Andrew Luck are turning heads.
Robert Griffin III, known as RG3, is leading the 4th best scoring offense in the NFL with 20 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He is 2nd in the NFL with a passer rating of 104.1, only behind Aaron Rodgers’ 106.2. Griffin’s passer rating is higher than superstars like 4-time AP MVP Peyton Manning and 2-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady. He has also broke Cam Newton’s rookie quarterback rushing record in Week 13. He is leading his Redskins into the last game of the regular season riding a six game winning streak, the 2nd longest in the NFL right now. Along with Alfred Morris, another rookie, who is 4th in the NFL in rushing yards, he hopes to take that win streak into the playoffs.
Russell Wilson’s team has been one of the surprises of the league this season. After scoring 50 points two games in a row, the Seahawks have clinched a Wild Card Spot. Wilson isn’t too far behind Griffin in terms of passer rating, ranking 7th with a rating of 98.0. Wilson is surrounded by rising superstars on defense. The Seahawks have the 4th best defense in the NFL so far this season. On the offensive side, Marshawn Lynch has taken most of the pressure off of Wilson. Lynch is 2nd in the league in rushing. Lynch has also been known to surprise opposing defenses in the playoffs and Wilson is hoping he can match his running back in this upcoming post season.
Andrew Luck hasn’t disappointed as the number one overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. After winning only two games last season, Luck’s Colts have the chance to win 11 this season. Fueled by their coach’s battle with leukemia, the Colt’s have been shocking and inspiring sports fans all season. Now they’ve clinched a playoff spot only one year after picking first in the draft. Luck and Reggie Wayne developed a great connection and hit their stride close to midseason. Luck has racked up over 4,100 passing yards, breaking Cam Newton’s rookie record from last season.
If the season ended today, all three of these teams would be in action during the Wild Card weekend. Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck have both locked up a Wild Card spot and are both projected as 5th seeds. With a win against the Cowboys, RG3 will clinch the NFC East Title and the 4th seed in the NFC. Can next year’s quarterback class of Geno Smith, Matt Barkley, and Tyler Wilson keep up with the ever-growing passing league? We’ll see soon enough if this year’s quarterbacks can add to next year’s expectations.
Photo Credits: Associated Press
