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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Norm Van Brocklin (Photo by Bob Verlin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

The 10th greatest quarterback-wide receiver duo in NFL history: Norm Van Brocklin & Elroy Hirsch

Norm Van Brocklin and Elroy Hirsch played in an era where putting up gaudy numbers was an unknown commodity.

More times then, quarterbacks who played in the 1950s were responsible for grabbing the ball from under center and handing it off to the running back. Teams often depended on milking the clock with a strong ground attack and leaning on their defense. While Brocklin also depended on both factors, he was also terrific at making plays with his arm.

With the help of Hirsch, his best wide receiver, Brocklin was a consistent member atop the NFL passing leaderboards. In 1954, he led the entire league with 2,637 yards. While he didn’t put up eye-popping numbers every year, in 1951, Hirsch had one of the best seasons in NFL history. On the year, Hirsch hauled in 17 touchdowns, 1,495 receiving yards, and averaged 124.6 yards per game.

In nine seasons together, the pair connected on 53 total touchdowns and brought home a title in 1951.

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