The 2004 NFL Draft will be known primarily as the draft that produced three Pro Bowl, and future Hall of Fame, quarterbacks.
Eli Manning went first overall to the Chargers. Philip Rivers went fourth to the Giants. And Ben Roethlisberger went eleventh overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
We all know the story by now of how Manning refused to play for the Chargers, forcing his way to the Giants via trade. Rivers landed on the West Coast while Manning ended up in the Big Apple.
Since that time, Manning and Roethlisberger have both won two Super Bowls, while Rivers has only gotten as far as the AFC Championship Game (2007).
It’s easy to say that Manning and Roethlisberger are the best quarterbacks from that class, but this stat may prove that overall, Rivers has been the better quarterback, despite no Super Bowl wins.
For his career, Roethlisberger has thrown for 30 or more touchdowns just twice, despite having receivers named Antonio Brown and Hines Ward. Manning has thrown for 30 or more touchdowns three times, while Rivers has done it five times. Yes, five times.
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https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2...oethlisberger/