Russell Wilson outduels Robert Griffin III

LANDOVER, Md. - Call it another case of "East Coast Bias," but a lot of people not living in the Pacific Northwest might not know just how good a rookie season Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson has had.

Everyone has heard of Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft who moved Peyton Manning out of town.

And everyone knows Washington rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, the Heisman Trophy winner for whom the Redskins ransomed the farm to move up to No. 2 overall.

Both have had marvelous first seasons and one or the other is likely to win NFL Rookie of the Year.

But on Sunday, all three rookie signal callers were in action in wild-card playoff games, and after leading the Seahawks to a 24-14, come-from-behind victory over Griffin and the Redskins, Wilson is the only one who is moving on to the divisional round.

Luck and the Colts lost, 24-9, to the Baltimore Ravens about 30 miles down the road from where Wilson and Griffin squared off.

Wilson, who led Seattle to 11 wins, tied Manning for the NFL record for touchdowns thrown by a rookie and ranked fourth overall in passer rating, rallied the Seahawks from a 14-0 deficit after the first quarter.

On a day when leadership and composure were needed more than big statistics, Wilson was an efficient 15 of 26 for 187 yards with a touchdown. He also rushed eight times for 67 yards, complementing the 132 yards with a touchdown by Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch.

"I kept telling our guys that we've been here before," Wilson said of the early deficit. "You just play one play at a time. In the playoffs, you just have to make plays, continue to fight, continue to have that edge."

Wilson's most inspiring play might have been midway through the fourth quarter when he sprinted past Lynch, who had cut back, and laid a block downfield to help spring Lynch on his game-winning, 27-yard touchdown run.

"Marshawn always tells me, 'Russ, I got your back, no matter what,' " Wilson said of the block. "So I try to help him out every once in a while. He gets down field, and I just try to play for him to help our football team win."