Sunday will mark a first for NFL matchups. The San Francisco 49ers travel to SoFi Stadium to face the rival Los Angeles Rams in a contest between the only remaining undefeated NFC West teams. But it's the quarterback matchup between Brock Purdy and Matthew Stafford that is an NFL-first.
According to NFL Research, the Week 2 bout will feature the first matchup between a quarterback drafted with the first overall pick (Stafford in 2009) and one drafted last overall (Purdy in 2022).
"Which makes sense, given that Purdy is the only Mr. Irrelevant to throw a pass in the Common Draft Era," wrote Rams radio voice J.B. Long.
Per NFL Research: Sunday will be the first matchup between QBs drafted first overall -- Stafford in 2009 -- and last -- Brock Purdy in 2022.
(Which makes sense, given that Purdy is the only Mr. Irrelevant to throw a pass in the Common Draft Era. But still...)
— J.B. Long (@JB_Long) September 13, 2023
Purdy, who started last season as QB3, only entered Week 13 because the 49ers lost their second quarterback of the season. The then-rookie quarterback made the most of the opportunity, leading San Francisco to a win over the Miami Dolphins and wins in his seven starts after that.
Purdy and the 49ers reached the NFC Championship Game, but the young quarterback suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, ending the team's Super Bowl hopes.
Returning from offseason surgery, Purdy and the Niners routed the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-7 in Week 1. San Francisco's second-year quarterback finished the game 19-of-29 for 220 yards with two touchdowns and a passer rating of 111.3.
The Rams are coming off a surprising 30-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Stafford was 24-of-38 for 334 yards and a passer rating of 91.3.