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Stats: A Quick Peek at the 2012 NFL QB Rookie of the Year Candidates

Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Russell Wilson are all having fantastic rookie years, but when their 2012 stats are put side by side, one QB stands out.

Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE

This week's debate question: WHICH QUARTERBACK IS LEADING THE PACK THIS SEASON, AND WHY?

There's been a lot of debate on Twitter about who should win rookie of the year. Certainly, what Andrew Luck has done in Indy has been very impressive. He took a 2-win team in 2011 to a team that now has 9 wins. Curtis Painter...we hardly knew ya.
However, in regards to who is more valuable to their team, it's Robert Griffin III, who leads in most categories. A couple interesting nuggets to ponder with this chart:
  • Both the Colts and Redskins defenses are tied with 329 points against (ranked 23rd). Seattle has 2nd best defense with 202 points against.
  • The Redskins and Colts also share a similar ranking in all purpose return yards...so the level of field position is relative there as well.
  • The Seahawks (31:34) and Colts (31:16) offenses have a better time of possession than the Redskins (30:46)
  • RGIII has benefited from the most defensive turnovers by his team.
  • Andrew Luck has 537 passing attempts (2nd) to RGIII's 351 (25th). Russell Wilson has 330 (26th). Obviously, the Redskins run the ball given they rank #1 in that category.
  • RGIII has a very high completion percentage on his deep balls although he airs it out less than Luck deep.
RGIII wins in 7 categories to Luck's 3. The fact that RGIII is part of an offense defense that has revolutionized football, I think he has the advantage here. Of course, he needs to stay healthy and get the Redskins to the playoffs to seal the deal.

Luck

RGIII

Russell Wilson

Completion %

54.9

66.4

63.0

Passing TDs

18

18

20

Rushing TDs

5

6

0

INTs

18

4

9

Fumbles/Lost

10/5

11/2

5/3

Total Turnovers

23

6

12

QB Rating

74.5

104.2

94.9

QBR

67.41

71.35

64.81

Sacks

32

28

24

4th Quarter Comebacks

4

3

3

Passing Yards

3792

2906

2492

Rushing Yards

223

748

310

Team Wins: Last Year

2

5

7

Team Wins: This Year (so far)

9

7

8

Stats via Pro Football Reference:

Note: I left the fumbles column neutral. Putting the ball on the ground 11 times vs turning it over the least amount of times seems like a wash to me.