Top 10 QB-WR Tandems in the NFL

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 25, 2006

Top 10 QB-WR Tandems in the NFL

Eli Manning- Plaxico Burress

Manning and Burress showed instant chemistry when the lanky receiver arrived in New York last year. Burress caught 76 passes for 1,214 yards and seven touchdowns to help the Giants win the NFC East.

Ben Roethlisberger- Hines Ward

The Steelers don't throw that much, so when they do, it's important that Roethlisberger and Ward are on the same page. They've worked together to get to know each other's tendencies. Big Ben has a lot of faith in Ward when a big play is needed.

Steve McNair- Derrick Mason

McNair and Mason became one of the league's most unstoppable pairs in Tennessee from 1997 through 2004. They'll try to re-create that chemistry in Baltimore this season. Both are in their 30s, but they still have enough skills to do some damage.

Brett Favre- Donald Driver

Favre and Driver have always had a good connection. Last season was tough for both of them as the Packers fell apart, but they worked together in the offseason and looked like their old selves in preseason. As everyone knows, Favre will throw into tight quarters, so his trust in his receivers is a big part of the Green Bay offense.

Drew Bledsoe- Terry Glenn

Glenn had his best days in New England when Bledsoe was quarterback, so it's no surprise that the speedy receiver had a career renaissance when he hooked up with Bledsoe again in Dallas last year. Glenn caught 62 passes and averaged 18.3 yards per catch in 2005. Even though newly acquired Terrell Owens may be the No. 1 threat in Dallas, Glenn's chemistry with Bledsoe will ensure he's an integral part of the offense.

Mark Brunell- Santana Moss

Brunell's strong chemistry with Moss led the Redskins to the playoffs last year. Brunell likes to have a go-to guy -- remember Jimmy Smith in Jacksonville? -- and Moss stepped up to be a consistent force in 2005. He had 1,483 receiving yards, including several big plays at the end of games.

Marc Bulger-Torry Holt

Watch out for the St. Louis passing offense when Marc Bulger and Torry Holt are on the field together. Although the Rams may not pass as much under new coach Scott Linehan as they did before, Bulger and Holt have proven they're in sync in the vertical passing game, so when the Rams do look downfield, good things will likely happen.

Peyton Manning- Marvin Harrison

Harrison and Manning snapped Steve Young and Jerry Rice's NFL mark of 85 TDs by a QB-WR tandem back on Oct. 17, 2005, against the Rams. The two know each other inside-out at this point and continue to be one of the most feared duos in the NFL.

Jake Delhomme- Steve Smith

Delhomme's gunslinger mentality fits Smith just fine. Last season Delhomme forced several passes into Smith's area, helping the speedy wideout lead the NFL with 1,563 receiving yards.

Carson Palmer- Chad Johnson

Palmer and Johnson once took a trip to Indianapolis to see how Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison worked together. They obviously learned something, because last season they were nearly unstoppable. Palmer's injured knee concerns Bengals fans, but if he stays healthy, this duo is on its way to becoming one of the most prolific in NFL history.

Top 10 QB-WR Tandems in the NFL