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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OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 21: Quarterback Ken Stabler #12 of the Oakland Raiders drops back to pass against the Miami Dolphins during the 1974 AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 21, 1974 in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Dolphins 28-26. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 21: Quarterback Ken Stabler #12 of the Oakland Raiders drops back to pass against the Miami Dolphins during the 1974 AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 21, 1974 in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Dolphins 28-26. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Getty Images) /

24. Ken Stabler and Cliff Branch

Stabler and Branch were crucial pieces in the success of the Raiders in the 1970s. Branch made three consecutive All-Pro teams from 1974-76. He led the NFl in receiving yards in 1974 with 1,092. He also led the NFL in receiving touchdowns that season with 13. Stabler was also an All-Pro, leading the NFL with 26 touchdown passes.

Yet 1976 was arguably the best year for the duo. Stabler once again led the NFl in touchdown passes with 27, and Branch led the NFl in touchdown receptions with 12. He also had another season of 1,000 yards receiving, totalin 1,111 for the season. Both Branch and Stabler were Pro Bowlers in 1977. Branch had 540 yards in 13 games to go along with six touchdowns, and Stabler threw for over 2,100 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Together, the duo helped the Raiders win a Super Bowl. While Branch would go on to be part of two other Super Bowl winning teams, he and Stabler were one of the best duos of the decade, and one of the best tandems in Raiders history. Stabler was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. It’s a crime that Branch isn’t in the Hall, and Stabler definitely should have gotten in sooner.

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