Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
In 46 seasons the NFL has never seen a rookie quarterback lifting the Lombardi Trophy. Super Bowl XLVI will be no different as their are no rookie quarterbacks remaining in this years playoffs. A few weeks ago it appeared that the odds were in favor of the rookie quarterbacks as a fourth of this years playoff teams were quarterbacked by a first year player. In essence, the quarterback position was changed forever with the class of 2012, but for now the postseason remains a “no kids allowed’ zone. Here is the good, the bad and the ugly of these studs first glimpse at postseason play.
Good – The Seattle Seahawks are of course the winners in this contest as Russell Wilson was nothing short of incredible in his first two playoff starts. In a win over the Washington Redskins Wilson went for 176 yards and a touchdown to co-inside with 67 yards on the ground on only eight attempts. Wilson followed that up by setting a Seahawks record with passing yards in a playoff game by throwing for 385 yards and two touchdowns versus the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Bad – The Indianpolis Colts have the biggest horse in this race as Andrew Luck was the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Luck dazzled throughout the season and improved the Colts win total from two to 11 in just one season being underneath center. After leading the league in fourth-quarter come backs during the regular season with 7, Luck was given quite the awakening when he faced the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round. He was less than impressive with no touchdowns, one interceptions and a passer rating of 59.8.
Ugly – No pun intended, Robert Griffin III had the worst postseason of any rookie quarterback this year. His torn ACL all but rules him out for opening day of 2013 and puts his head coach Mike Shanahan in a lot of Redskins’ fans doghouses. This fiasco is one of the ugliest in NFL history and it’s a shame to think RG3′s career may have been ended in his first playoff start.
