NFL History: 50 greatest quarterback-wide receiver tandems in NFL history

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 27: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with teammate Calvin Johnson #81 after a first quarter touchdown the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field on October 27, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

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John Elway (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The 19th greatest quarterback-wide receiver duo in NFL history: John Elway & Rod Smith

The pairing of John Elway and Rod Smith may have lasted four total seasons but after their first two, it appeared as though they simply weren’t a match. In their first two years together, the pair hooked up on only 22 passes.

There was nothing about the Elway to Smith connection that scared defenses but in years three and four, it was a completely different story. Elway found Smith in the end zone a total of 18 times in those two seasons. Also, in total, Elway registered 156 receptions in the direction of his Pro Bowl receiver.

Not only did the pair’s newfound connection lead to more wins in the regular season but it also allowed the Denver Broncos to win at the highest level as they captured back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998.

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