Dolphins-Seahawks: Rookie QB Showdown

Nov 15, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) looks to throw during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo won the game 19-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-US PRESSWIRE

This Sunday Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins will have round 2 against rookie QB’s this season. The first rookie QB Miami faced was Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts, which the Dolphins lost 23-20. Even though the score was close, it was anything but.  Dolphins CB, Sean Smith, had at least 2 opportunities to get an interception on the 1st overall pick in this years draft, but Smith either wasn’t in position due to not keeping a close eye on the QB, or just flat-out dropped the ball. Andrew Luck also was able to break the rookie record for passing yards in a single game, which was set last season by Carolina Panthers QB, Cam Newton.

Round 2 will be against Seattle Seahawks 3rd round rookie QB, Russell Wilson. The five rookie QB’s to get the starting role to begin the season were, Andrew Luck(1st overall pick by the Colts), Robert Griffin III(2nd overall pick by the Redskins), Ryan Tannehill(8th overall pick by the Dolphins), Brandon Weeden(22nd overall pick by the Browns), and Russell Wilson(75th overall pick by the Seahawks). Russell Wilson wasn’t expected to get the start after the Seahawks signed former Green Bay Packer, and Aaron Rodgers backup, Matt Flynn. But Wilson has been one of the more surprising rookie QB’s this season.

So far this season, Dolphins Ryan Tannehill has 2,120 yards passing with a 58.1% completion percentage, and has 6 touchdowns to go with 11 interceptions. His passer rating is currently sitting at 70.8 after 10 games.

Seahawks Russell Wilson has 1,827 passing yards with a 62.1% completion percentage, and has 15 touchdowns with only 8 interceptions. His passer rating is about 20 points higher then Tannehill’s at 90.5 after 10 games.

Even though Wilson is about 300 passing yards shy of Tannehill, he’s been much more efficient. Like Tannehill he wasn’t expected to start the season.  They were both looked at as players who needed to sit a year or two and develop before they could make any kind of impact. In my opinion, he has been the third best rookie QB so far this season, behind Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. Tannehill is sitting at 4th, with Brandon Weeden coming in last.

This match up is interesting too me simply because neither rookie was expected to start this year. Both have had there ups and downs, but have also exceeded many people’s expectations. I don’t expect this to get into much of a shootout, especially if the Dolphins secondary can keep up with the Seahawks receiving core. I also don’t think this game will be a mostly ground game either. This should be a fairly balanced run/pass game with a few big passes by both rookies.

This is an opportunity for Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins to try and get back on track after being on a 3 game losing streak. It’s also a chance for Tannehill to showcase against another rookie QB who started the season impressively. Can Tannehill prove to his fans and critics that he is just as good, if not better, than Russell Wilson who is currently producing better stats this season?