Best quarterback/wide receiver duos in NFL history

By Staff | Nov 1, 2015

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 16: Peyton Manning No. 18 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates the touchdown of Marvin Harrison No. 88 for a 30-20 lead over the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 16, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 9, 1977: Wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff #25 of the Oakland Raiders walks along the sideline during Super Bowl XI on January 9, 1977 against the Minnesota Vikings at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Raiders beat the Vikings, 32-14 to win the professional football World Championship.19770109-FR-1977 Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images /

6. Daryle Lamonica and Fred Biletnikoff

Now, when you hear his name, you only hear his last name, and it’s typically followed by “award.” But Fred Biletnikoff was a helluva wide receiver during his time.

The Oakland Raiders drafted him at No. 11 overall out of Florida State in the 1965 AFL Draft. He spent two unimpressive years in Oakland before the Raiders brought in Daryle Lamonica to start at quarterback in 1967. O

Lamonica was sputtering in Buffalo before heading out to Oakland, but he turned it on in his first season. He threw for 3,228 yards and 30 touchdowns. Biletnikoff grabbed 40 of those passes for 876 yards and five touchdowns. They brought the Raiders to the Super Bowl but lost to the Green Bay Packers 33-14.

The best season they put together came in 1969. Lamonica went off for 34 touchdowns and 3,302 passing yards — both career highs. Biletnikoff brought in 54 receptions for 837 yards and 12 touchdowns.

In spite of some impressive stats, Lamonica and Biletnikoff combined for mostly heartache as they reached the Conference Championship six times and lost five. They were the definition of “so close.”

Of course, Lamonica retired after the ’74 season, and Biletnikoff hung around for four more years. He was a vital part of the Raiders team — coached by John Madden — that won the Super Bowl in 1976.

Lamonica finished with 164 passing touchdowns, and Biletnikoff caught 41 of them. They were a dynamic duo but just couldn’t find a way to get it done deep in the postseason.

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