1. Matthew Stafford & Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions(01 of10)
Open Image Modal2. Jay Cutler & Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears(02 of10)
Open Image ModalCutler isn't the best quarterback in the league and Marshall isn't the best receiver, but in a city where the other receiving options appear few and far between, these two should emerge as one of the game's most prolific tandems. Remember, Cutler and Marshall spent three years together in Denver and from 2007-2008, the Pro Bowl wideout ranked first in the NFL in targets (351) and second in receptions (206). Two games against the tandem in Detroit this season should provide no shortage of aerial firepower. (credit:AP)
3. Tom Brady & Wes Welker, New England Patriots(03 of10)
Open Image ModalTight end Rob Gronkowski may get all the glory, but you can't forget about the guy in the trenches doing the dirty work to set up the scores. Brady and Welker are the football equivalent of a Sugar Ray Leonard jab: fast, precise and unrelenting. If you eliminate the 2008 season that Brady missed with a blown out knee and the 2010 season in which Welker was coming off the same injury, these two hooked up for 357 receptions in three years. That's a mind-blowing 7.7 receptions per game when you factor in the two contests Welker missed due to injury in 2009. These guys will kill you slowly and methodically. (credit:AP)
4. Ben Roethlisberger & Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers(04 of10)
Open Image ModalIf Brady and Welker are the football equivalent of a Ray Leonard jab, then Big Ben and Wallace are the NFL's version of a Mike Tyson left hook. Over the last two years, Wallace has established himself as one of the game's premier deep threats, with 29 receptions of 25 or more yards in his last 32 games (first in NFL). During that same time span, Wallace also ranks second in the league in yards per reception (18.6, minimum 90 receptions). These two may not hook up as often as some of the other tandems on this list, but don't be fooled. Roethlisberger and Wallace can strike a devastating blow faster than you can reach for that next potato chip. (credit:AP)
5. Michael Vick & DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles(05 of10)
Open Image ModalJackson's vertical speed and elusiveness make him very difficult to defend for the 3-4 seconds required for pass rushers to get to the quarterback. However, the problem for opposing defenses is that Vick's instincts and cut-on-a-dime mobility allow the Eagles signal-caller to extend plays past the 3-4 second window, giving Jackson more time to toast his mark and get free down the field. In the two years that these two have been working together, no QB-WR tandem has recorded a higher yards per reception average (19.2 YPR, minimum 90 receptions). It should be fun to watch this duo go head-to head with the Roethlisberger-Wallace combo on October 7. (credit:AP)
6. Eli Manning & Victor Cruz, New York Giants(06 of10)
Open Image ModalCredit fellow Giants wideout Hakeem Nicks for stretching the field vertically on the outside, which allowed Cruz to eat up opposing defenses in a variety of ways last year. In just one full season working together--a season that featured only seven starts from Cruz--these two hooked up 82 times for 1,536 yards (third in NFL) and nine touchdowns. In addition, Cruz's 18.7 yards per reception average in 2011 ranked first in the league among receivers with 45 or more catches. Oh yeah, Manning and Cruz also managed to win a Super Bowl last year. (credit:AP)
7. Matt Schaub & Andre Johnson, Houston Texans(07 of10)
Open Image ModalThis duo's injury-plagued 2011 campaign kept Schaub and Johnson from wrecking havoc in the AFC, but it also highlighted how important each player is to the other's success. From 2009-2010, Johnson rolled up 187 receptions for 2,785 yards and 17 touchdowns with Schaub under center, and that's despite the fact that the wide receiver missed three games in 2010. If Houston could go 10-6 and win the AFC South with these two combining to play in just 17 games, imagine what the Texans will do in 2012 if both can stay healthy. (credit:AP)
8. Aaron Rodgers & Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers(08 of10)
Open Image ModalGreg Jennings may be the more recognizable wideout in Green Bay, but Nelson was the more effective member of the receiving corps in 2011. The 27-year-old ranked third in the NFL in touchdown receptions (15) and fifth in yards per reception average (18.6 YPR), but what really makes this tandem stand out is the fact that Nelson led the league in receptions per touchdown last year, at 4.53. That means when Rodgers and Nelson get on the same page, there's a 22% chance it results in a touchdown. Scary. (credit:AP)
9. Peyton Manning & Eric Decker, Denver Broncos(09 of10)
Open Image ModalAfter a lengthy and much-publicized courtship, the most coveted player in the history of free agency landed in Denver with a $96 million contract. And while Demaryius Thomas could emerge as Manning's go-to weapon, our money's on former Minnesota standout Eric Decker, who averaged a touchdown every 5.5 receptions with Tim Tebow under center last season. It's no secret that Manning has a knack for making everybody around him better. But with the shoddy defensive backfields that make up the AFC West, the Manning-Decker tandem has the potential to roll up a ridiculous stat line in 2012. (credit:AP)
10. Andy Dalton & A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals(10 of10)
Open Image ModalLast year's numbers weren't gaudy, but for two rookies who had never before played together, Dalton and Green emerged as one of the league's best up-and-coming passing duos. In fact, Dalton managed to guide his team into the postseason despite playing in a division with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, while Green earned a trip to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl. And these two didn't achieve those lofty goals by nickel and diming their way down the field like most rookies, either. Green ranked 17th in the league in yards per reception average last year (16.3) and seventh in receptions of 25+ yards (14). Don't let their ages play tricks on your mind. Dalton and Green can kill you with the long ball. (credit:AP)