According to many of the game’s aficionados, football is “the ultimate team sport.” Fans rave about the individual matchups the game provides, but it’s the factions on the team that make NFL franchises what they are. Corps such as the Los Angeles Rams “Fearsome Foursome” defensive line, the Pittsburgh Steelers “Steel Curtain” linebackers and the Cowboys bulldozing offensive line of the ‘90s contributed mighty toward their team’s success.
To further highlight the importance of group efforts, I will begin a series entitled Boisterous Brigades. During this sequence, I will rank and breakdown the NFL’s premier duos, corps, tandems, and fronts. To kickoff everything, let’s dissect the top five quarterback-wide Receiver duos in the NFL right now.
Based on the way football is constructed today, having an effective passing game is essential. Some quarterbacks benefit from having that go-to guy to throw the ball to in any situation. Likewise for wide receivers, having someone who will definitely get them the ball is a plus.
The following list of duos is primarily ranked by their team’s passing rankings, their statistical output on the field together, and how frequently the wideout is targeted compared to the rest of the receivers on the depth chart.
1. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions)
Matthew to “Megatron.” The football world has grown accustomed to seeing this hookup. Expected to become an elite target when he was drafted in 2007, Calvin Johnson has exceeded those expectations. Johnson scored 33 touchdowns in his first four years. In his breakout 2011 season, he scored eight touchdowns in the first four games—on pace for 32 scores by season’s end—and finished with 16. Coming out of Georgia in 2009, Stafford has displayed his potential to be a star quarterback. Finally healthy enough to play a full season in 2011, Stafford threw 41 touchdowns and was one of three signal-callers to amass the 5,000-yard mark that year. Both guys’ efforts propelled the Lions into their first playoff game since 1999.The next season, Calvin broke Jerry Rice’s all-time, single-season record in receiving yards with 1,964. The Lions passing offense finished fourth in 2013, the third consecutive year they finished top four overall in that category. Detroit has boasted one of the game’s most potent passing attacks and this pair deserves most of the credit. The Lions added Golden Tate to their receiving mix, but defenses league-wide will always keep their tabs on Stafford to Johnson.
2. Andy Dalton and A. J. Green (Cincinnati Bengals)
The 2011 draft was a foundation builder for the Bengals. With the fourth overall pick, Cincinnati selected Georgia standout receiver A. J. Green. Thirty-one picks later, they grabbed Andy Dalton to replace Carson Palmer. Green immediately became one the league’s top perimeter threats; he has 29 touchdowns, 3,800 yards and three Pro Bowl selections so far in his career. Earning a Pro Bowl selection in his rookie season, Dalton has developed into a solid NFL quarterback. In 2013, he achieved career highs in completion percentage, yards, touchdowns, and passer rating. He became the first quarterback to lead the Bengals to the playoffs in three straight seasons. Because of their stellar production, Cincy finished eighth in passing offense. A playoff win still eludes them, but the duo is still young. Both at 26 years of age, the pair can only get better and will hopefully remain together for the next half-decade or so.
3. Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall (Chicago Bears)
Even during their Denver days, Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall have always been a dynamic pairing. During their three-year tenure with the Broncos, Marshall eclipsed 100-plus catches in 2007 and 2008. He and Cutler reached the Pro Bowl in 2008. When the two separated before the 2009 season, both guys struggled. Going to the Chicago Bears in free agency, Cutler was hindered not only by his interceptions, but also by not having a top-tier receiver. When Marshall went to Miami in 2010, his reception numbers dipped down to the 80s. The two rejoined forces in 2012 and have picked up where they left off in Mile High. Brandon has caught 100-plus passes in back-to-back seasons while Jay has taken advantage of his security blanket again. Their chemistry has played a significant role in turning the Bears—historically known for their defense—into an offensive powerhouse. Based on their overall body of work together, this duo could arguably be the No. 1. With the emergence of Pro Bowl receiver Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte being a top pass-catching back, however, Cutler and Marshall place third.
4. Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Defense has been the staple for the Steelers six Super Bowl championships. Over the past few seasons, key players who anchored the team’s 2005 and 2008 title runs have either departed or failed to produce due to advanced age. As a result, the offense has carried the load (specifically Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown). In 2011, Brown broke out with 69 catches and 1,108 yards on his way to his first Pro Bowl. When Mike Wallace left the Steel City for a big payday in South Beach, Antonio caught an AFC-leading 110 receptions for 1,499 yards, earning his second Pro Bowl trip. Running back LeGarrette Blount is coming in to join Le’Veon Bell in the backfield, but the offensive line has consistently struggled throughout Big Ben’s tenure. Also, with Emmanuel Sanders leaving for Denver and Jerricho Cotchery heading to Carolina this spring, it will be up to the Roethlisberger-Brown duo to bring Pittsburgh success.
5. Tony Romo and Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys)
It’s easy to judge Tony Romo for his late-game judgment, but he has consistently been a stat sheet stuffer throughout his eight years as the Cowboys starter. Throwing for 208 touchdowns and nearly 30,000 yards since 2006, Romo is statistically one of the top signal-callers the league has to offer. To help pad his stats, he’s had the luxury of passing the football to big names like Terrell Owens, Miles Austin (of course when healthy), and now Dez Bryant. Entering the NFL in 2010, Bryant’s reception and touchdown numbers have increased each season. He was rewarded for his work when he was selected to make his Pro Bowl debut. An important element to keep in mind is that Dallas is locking up their franchise players. Romo got his extension last year and Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith nabbed a whopping, yet deserving, 8-yr/$98M extension earlier this week. With Dez Bryant placing himself among the elite wide receivers in the game, he is for sure the next in line for a massive pay raise.
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