Fansided

Ranking the 30 Best NFL QB-WR duos in the modern era

By Brad Weiss

ANAHEIM, CA - CIRCA 1991:Joe Montana (16) of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jerry Rice (80) on his TD catch against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium circa 1991 in Anaheim,California on November 25th 1991. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - CIRCA 1991:Joe Montana (16) of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jerry Rice (80) on his TD catch against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium circa 1991 in Anaheim,California on November 25th 1991. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /
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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – FEBRUARY 06: Jerry Rice (R) is congratulated by former teammate Steve Young after Rice was announced as a 2010 enshrinee into the Hall of Fame during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Press Conference held at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center as part of a media week for Super Bowl XLIV on February 6, 2010, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – FEBRUARY 06: Jerry Rice (R) is congratulated by former teammate Steve Young after Rice was announced as a 2010 enshrinee into the Hall of Fame during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Press Conference held at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center as part of a media week for Super Bowl XLIV on February 6, 2010, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

30 Best NFL QB-WR duos in the modern era

No. 3: Steve Young and Jerry Rice

The San Francisco 49ers were another team that put together a dynasty during the 1990s, and incredibly, they did so with two different quarterbacks. Steve Young would eventually take over for Joe Montana, the winner of two Super Bowls, and go on to win a Super Bowl of his own, getting the monkey off of his back.

Though the win against the San Diego Chargers was the highlight of Young’s career as the starter in San Francisco, he was way more than just the guy who threw for a Super Bowl-record six touchdowns that day. In fact, he formed one of the best tandems in NFL history with his No. 1 wide receiver, Jerry Rice, who hauled in three of those touchdowns that day.

Together, the tandem of Young and Rice made fans of the team forget that Joe Montana had left for Kansas City. They connected on 85 touchdown throws, and with Young as his quarterback, Rice had three straight seasons where he led the NFL in receptions, and also twice led the league in receiving touchdowns.

Rice was a Hall of Fame player before Young ever took over as the starter for the 49ers, but Young and Rice had a long stretch of domination, including the most dominating Super Bowl win in history.

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