Question
Opening day is approaching, and it looks like the two quarterbacks selected at the top of the draft, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, will start against each other. This is rare. Since the merger in 1970, this has happened on only two other occasions (the first two picks, both quarterbacks, starting against each other as rookies). Who were the quarterbacks involved in those previous games?
Answer
In 1998, the Colts, with Peyton Manning at quarterback, beat San Diego, with Ryan Leaf starting.
In 1993, the Seahawks beat the Patriots twice (back in those days, the schedule makers were working with four- and five-team divisions, so there was that scheduling twist). Rick Mirer started both of those games for Seattle, but Drew Bledsoe missed one of those games with an injury.