Fansided

Top 30 duos in NFL history

By Jarrett Bailey

BALTIMORE - 1960's: (L to R) Quarterback Johnny Unitas #19 and wide receiver Raymond Berry #82 of the Baltimore Colts on the sidelines during a game circa 1960's at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE - 1960's: (L to R) Quarterback Johnny Unitas #19 and wide receiver Raymond Berry #82 of the Baltimore Colts on the sidelines during a game circa 1960's at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
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Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys receives congratulations from teammates Michael Irvin (L) and Troy Aikman (R) after breaking the NFL career touchdown record against the Washington Redskins at Texas Stadium 27 December in Irving, Texas. AFP PHOTO/Paul BUCK (Photo by PAUL BUCK / AFP) (Photo by PAUL BUCK/AFP via Getty Images)
Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys receives congratulations from teammates Michael Irvin (L) and Troy Aikman (R) after breaking the NFL career touchdown record against the Washington Redskins at Texas Stadium 27 December in Irving, Texas. AFP PHOTO/Paul BUCK (Photo by PAUL BUCK / AFP) (Photo by PAUL BUCK/AFP via Getty Images) /

6. Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin

The Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s was mostly built on great defense and running the football, but Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin were exactly what Dallas needed in the passing game to win three Super Bowls.

Irvin led the NFL in receiving yards in 1991 with 1,523 on 93 receptions. The next season, he totaled just under 1,400 yards on 78 catches and the Cowboys won their first Super Bowl. Aikman was a Pro Bowl selection in both seasons, and the two quickly became one of the best duos in football.

Dallas repeated as Super Bowl champions in 1993. Aikman was once again a Pro Bowler, as was Irivn, who caught 88 passes and seven touchdowns on the year. In 1995, Irivn had a career-high 111 catches for 1,603 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Cowboys won their third Super Bowl in four seasons, cementing themselves as a dynasty.

The trio of Emmit Smith, Aikman, and Irvin largely revolved around Smith running the ball, but don’t forget how good of a combination that Aikman and Irivn were. Both men are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and are two of the biggest reasons why Dallas was the team of the 1990s.

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