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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Don Meredith (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

The 48th greatest quarterback-wide receiver duo in NFL history: Don Meredith & Bob Hayes

Long before the Dallas Cowboys were winning Super Bowls, crushing the competition and in possession of quite possibly the most obnoxious fanbase in the world, they were attempting to establish themselves as true title contenders.

Although the bulk of his career was plagued with inconsistency and poor play, Don Meredith turned into one of the best quarterbacks in the league during the latter portion of his career. Thanks to wide receiver Bob Hayes, Meredith went on to notch three Pro Bowl appearances from 1965-1968. Also, in two of their final three seasons together, Meredith threw for the most yards in his career with 2,805 and 2,500 respectively.

The pair may have led the Cowboys to three playoff appearances but they never got past the second round.

Interestingly enough, once Meredith hung up his cleats in 1968, Hayes was never the same player. In all four years together, Hayes was named to the Pro Bowl team. In two of those years, he was also an All-Pro. Those accolades would never be repeated by Hayes after 1968, however, as he mostly faded into the background once his trusty sidekick was no longer under center.

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