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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JACKSONVILLE, FL – OCTOBER 22: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 and wide receiver Marvin Harrison #88 of the Indianapolis Colts meet at midfield during play against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on October 22, 2007, in Jacksonville, Florida. The Colts won 29 – 7. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – OCTOBER 22: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 and wide receiver Marvin Harrison #88 of the Indianapolis Colts meet at midfield during play against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on October 22, 2007, in Jacksonville, Florida. The Colts won 29 – 7. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

30 Best NFL QB-WR duos in the modern era

No. 2: Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison

We have already gone into detail about the incredible run that the Indianapolis Colts had with Peyton Manning as their quarterback. However, while his chemistry with Reggie Wayne is one of the best we have seen in NFL history, it does not come close to what Manning was able to accomplish with Marvin Harrison from a statistics perspective.

In fact, when all was said and done, this duo set nearly every record in terms of a QB-WR combination, and that is why they land so high on our list. Manning, who was the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, was terrible as a rookie, setting the NFL record for most interceptions in a season, but he started developing an incredible connection with four-year wideout, Marvin Harrison.

Before Manning’s arrival, Harrison had never had a 1,000-yard season, but once No. 18 came to town, Harrison would go on to put together a Hall of Fame career with the Colts. He twice led the NFL in receptions and receiving touchdowns, catching at least 100 balls in four straight seasons, culminating with one of the best receiving seasons in NFL history.

During that 2002 season, Harrison set a single-season NFL record with 143 catches, setting a career-high in receiving yards as well. This duo helped the Colts to a Super Bowl title, and in the end, connected on 961 catches for nearly 13,000 yards and an NFL record 114 touchdowns.

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