Rookie QB Power Rankings III

1. (1) Robert Griffin III - Washington Redskins (6-6)

67.1 Comp. %, 2,660 yards, 17 TD, 4 INT, 104.4 QB Rtg., 714 rush yards, 6 TD

Since the last Rookie QB Power Rankings, RGIII has thrown for 882 yards and 9 TDs with just 1 INT, leading his team to three division wins in the process, including a Monday night win over the Giants. During the game, RGIII set the rookie record for rushing yards for a QB. Watching Griffin run the option out of the Pistol is truly a thing of beauty, as it's nearly impossible to predict from play to play who is going to end up with the ball. When Griffin runs the play-action, he is the most effective QB in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. As of Week 12, Griffin's 12.5 yards per attempt during the play-action is the best figure in the NFL, while his 5.7 YPA during standard pass plays ranks him dead last. Griffin's passer rating is also the league's best out of play-action, compared to 8^th when not faking the run. While RGIII hasn't rushed for a TD since Week 6, it is clear that, in the right system, “Bobby Three Sticks” is currently the most dangerous rookie behind centre in the NFL.

Luck's late game heroics keep the Colts rolling

2. (2) Andrew Luck - Indianapolis Colts (8-4)

55.5 Comp. %, 3,596 yards, 17 TD, 16 INT, 76.1 QB Rtg., 216 rush yards, 5 TD

Andrew Luck's first season has been nothing short of amazing as his team, 2-14 last season, has won 6 of their last 7 games and are currently in line for the first wildcard spot in the AFC. Luck is coming off of an incredible last-second comeback win on the road against the Lions in a game where he threw for 391 yards and 4 TDs. In Week 9, Luck set the NFL record for passing yards in a game by a rookie with 433, breaking Cam Newton's mark from last year. While Luck ranks 4^th in passing yards, his 16 INTs is tied with Drew Brees for the most in the league, and his completion percentage is just .5% higher than Mark Sanchez's. Still, Luck's numbers shouldn't be scrutinized too much as he's just a rookie and he is playing under the most pressure of any first year QB due to the man he is replacing.

3. (3) Russell Wilson - Seattle Seahawks (7-5)

63.4 Comp. %, 2,344 yards, 19 TD, 8 INT, 95.2 QB Rtg., 298 rush yards

Like Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson is fresh off a stunning comeback win, however Wilson did so against a better team in a much harsher environment. Wilson engineered two drives, 97 and 80 yards in length, to clinch an impressive OT win against Chicago. The former gave the Seahawks the lead with less than 30 seconds left (the Bears would soon after kick a tying FG) and the latter won the game on the opening drive of overtime. Amazingly, Russell hasn't thrown a pick since the last edition of these Power Rankings. The INT came in the 3^rd quarter of an October 28^th loss to Detroit, 117 passes ago. While Wilson has played very well and has his team in position to make the playoffs, he will need to perform something miraculous to crack the top two of this top-heavy Power Rankings.

4. (4) Ryan Tannehill - Miami Dolphins (5-7)

57.9 Comp. %, 2,559 yards, 7 TD, 12 INT, 72.3 QB Rtg., 82 rush yards, 2 TD

Tannehill has regressed since the last Power Rankings, and his Dolphins are 1-4 in that span. In those five games, Tannehill has thrown a total of 3 TDs compared to 6 INTs, three of those picks coming in a 37-3 blowout loss at home against Tennessee. At one point Miami was a potential wildcard team; they were 4-3 coming off of a big win on the road against a division rival (Jets), but then the last five games happened. At this point Tannehill will simply be trying to grow as an NFL QB and learn all he can in preparation for next season. Road games against San Francisco and New England will likely provide ample teaching moments for head coach Joe Philbin.

5. (5) Brandon Weeden - Cleveland Browns (4-8)

57 Comp. %, 2,820 yards, 13 TD, 15 INT, 72.3 QB Rtg., 83 rush yards

A view of ineptitude from the Dawg Pound

I got a chance to see Brandon Weeden up close and personal in Week 12 from the first row of the Dawg Pound. It was the first time since 2009 that Cleveland defeated their bitter rivals, the Steelers. The game saw 9 total turnovers, and amazingly, only one of those was committed by Brandon Weeden. Charlie Batch threw 2 picks and the Steelers lost 6 fumbles, and somehow, the Browns only managed to score 20 points and win by 6. Myself and many others in the Pound were apoplectic (that word was not heard in the Pound) about Pat Shurmur's play calling, and Weeden's execution of those plays. The Browns' only touchdowns came on drives of 10 and 31 yards, both after Pittsburgh turnovers. Cleveland's longest scoring drive was 44 yards which resulted in a Phil Dawson FG. While it may be selfish and narrow-minded to focus on just one game to judge Weeden's performance in the past five weeks, this display of offensive ineptitude clearly shows to me that Weeden is a mediocre QB playing for a coach who is unable to formulate a game plan around the “talents” of the 28 year-old.

Dishonourable Mention: Nick Foles, PHI; Ryan Lindley, ARI