Tracking the Rookie Quarterbacks: Week 14

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on 10 December 2012. Posted in Washington Redskins

Below is our week 14 evaluation of all the rookie quarterbacks starting in the NFL this season. Below that is how we have evaluated all the rookie quarterbacks over the course of the 2012 season. We have a surprise winner of the weekly award and the season-to-date order has been shuffled a bit for the first time in weeks.

Week 12

PLAYER	COMP %	YARDS	TD/ INT	AVG PER PASS	RUSH YARDS	TD	PASS RTG	W/L
Nick Foles	62.7	381	2/0	7.5	27	1	98.6	W, 23-21
Robert Griffin	57.7	246	1/0	9.5	34	0	102.4	W, 31-28
Andrew Luck	47.1	196	1/2	5.8	7	0	50.6	W, 27-23
Ryan Tannehill	51.5	150	1/0	4.5	25	0	74.1	L, 13-27
Brandon Weeden	56.7	217	0/0	7.2	15	0	79.4	W, 30-7
Russell Wilson	53.8	148	1/1	11.4	12	0	88.0	W, 58-0

Nick Foles -- It's fitting that Foles had his best day statistically on the day he finally won an NFL game as a starting QB. Foles was calm as he led a furious, literally last-second comeback, throwing two TD passes in the final four minutes, including the winner as time expired. Foles also ran for a TD and was his team's leading rusher in the game. And he did this against a Tampa Bay team in the thick of a playoff race, with plenty of incentive to win the game. A truly superb performance from Foles.

Robert Griffin III -- It wasn't RG3's best day, but he still had the highest passer rating of any rookie QB this week, 102.4. That shows you how high the bar for success is set for RG3. He set it himself. Griffin was in the midst of leading a 4th quarter comeback when he sprained his right knee while being tackled after a run of 13 yards. Griffin threw a TD pass and, as usual, didn't turn the ball over. Having a quarterback who consistently makes plays and almost never commits a turnover is what has kept the Redskins in the playoff hunt despite having a mediocre defense and only one playmaking receiver, Pierre Garcon. It's unclear if Griffin will play on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns and fellow rookie QB Brandon Weeden. If he does not, rookie backup Kirk Cousins, who came in in relief of RG3 and threw the game-tying touchdown, will start in his place.

Ryan Lindley -- His statistics are not included because he did not start the game against the Seahawks, he entered the game late in relief of the horrid John Skelton. Lindley got sacked twice, didn't throw a TD or INT [that last bit is cause for celebration], and was completely ineffective in Arizona's 58-0 loss in Seattle.

Andrew Luck -- Had the worst statistical performance of any of our rookie starters this week, but managed to come away with a win anyway because his defense scored a touchdown and the Titans mismanaged their offense in the 4th quarter by not knowing down and distance in the middle of a critical drive. He continues to turn the ball over too much [twice more on Sunday], but he and the Colts have feasted on a patsy schedule to the tune of 9 wins and an almost certain wild card berth in the playoffs.

Ryan Tannehill -- That tough 49ers defense was too much for Tannehill, who performed respectably for a rookie, but really made almost no plays with his arm. The rook avoided turnovers, but his inability to complete passes downfield, a blame which must be shared equally with his receivers, doomed the Dolphins at home. Miami has now lost 5 of their last 6 and Tannehill needs to have a big game to stop the season from turning into a fiasco.

Brandon Weeden -- Made no mistakes in helping his team win 30-7. The game was basically won by Cleveland's running game, a big punt return for a TD in the second quarter and the general ineptitude of their opponent, the KC Chiefs. Weeden continued his recent play of not doing anything special, but also not doing anything to hurt his team as they've won 3 games -- two against bad teams and once against the Steelers playing without Ben Roethlisberger.

Russell Wilson -- Threw a TD and a pick in 13 passes, but otherwise did very little. He didn't need to. Their opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, were busy destroying themselves in the worst loss in franchise history -- which is really saying something. It says something about the Seahawks and the Cardinals that Seattle could ask so little of their quarterback and still win 58-0.

Weekly Winner: Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles

(Photo: AP Photo)

2012 Season To Date

PLAYER	COMP %	YARDS	TD/ INT	AVG PER PASS	RUSH YARDS	TD	PASS RATING	W/L
Nick Foles	61.4	1174	4/3	6.4	27	1	80.3	1-3
Robert Griffin	66.4	2906	18/4	8.3	748	6	104.2	7-6
Ryan Lindley	48.3	507	0/5	4.2	-1	0	42.6	0-2
Andrew Luck	54.9	3792	18/18	7.1	223	5	74.5	9-4
Ryan Tannehill	57.3	2709	8/12	6.8	107	2	72.5	5-8
Brandon Weeden	57.0	3037	13/15	6.6	98	0	72.8	5-8
Russell Wilson	63.0	2492	20/9	7.6	152	0	94.9	8-5