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Factoid

Rookie quarterback debuts

Typically modest numbers in first starts

A pair of NFC East teams will have rookie quarterbacks making their first NFL starts this week. The Cowboys will go with preseason sensation Dak Prescott, while the Eagles will send out No. 2 overall pick Carson Wentz. Expectations for production should be conservative in Week 1.

Over the last three seasons, a dozen other rookie quarterbacks have made starts, and most put up lesser numbers in their first game. On average, they threw for 212 yards and 1.6 TDs. Eight out of 12 them lost those games, too.

The opening-game numbers for those rookie passers are shown below.

ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS, 1ST CAREER STARTS
YearPlayerOpp.ComAtt.YardsTDINTsResult
2013Jeff Tuel, Buff.at K.C.183922912L
2013Matt McGloin, Oak.at Hou.183219730W
2013EJ Manuel, Buff.N.E.182715020L
2013Mike Glennon, T.B.Ariz.244319312L
2013Geno Smith, NYJT.B.243825611W
2014Johnny Manziel, Clev.Cin.10188002L
2014Zach Mettenberger, Tenn.Hou.274129921L
2014Blake Bortles, Jax.at S.D.293725412L
2014Teddy Bridgewater, Minn.Atl.193031710W
2014Derek Carr, Oak.NYJ203215120L
2015Jameis Winston, T.B.Tenn.163321022L
2015Marcus Mariota, Tenn.at T.B.131520940W

--Andy Richardson

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