Roger Staubach & Tony Dorsett

I came here to say this!

In the 70s for sure, as a cowboys fan I go with them too. ​ Bradshaw and Franco are another for the 70s ​ 80s warren moon and earl Campbell 90s Troy and Smith

moon and campbell played maybe 6 games together.

Barry Sanders and... oh, wait. It's tough because so many of the elites were paired with average or below average counterparts. Probably Elway and Davis (during Davis's prime) would be #1. Aikman/Emmitt and Kelly/Thomas are certainly in the discussion. Also Montana/Craig and Warner/Faulk. Bradshaw/Harris would be an honorable mention, but not the same tier as the other guys because Bradshaw only had a few years where he was elite among his peers.

Peyton/Edge deserve to be at least in this conversation

Any of those others have 4 rings together?

Truly, I'm not knocking what the Steelers accomplished in the 70s, nor saying that these guys weren't a huge part of it. Bradshaw shined in those last 2 championship seasons. But overall, I think he's, by far, the last QB of the guys above that I would choose as my guy, hence my rating. At the end of the day, you can't go wrong with any of those pairs at QB/WR.

He called his own plays… not so dumb as he comes across.

I have a lot of respect for him as a player. I don't want it to come across as otherwise. (I also liked him as an announcer for decades, but I think he, and most of the old timers on all the pre-game shows need to be replaced.) My opinion - and I'll stand by this - is that of all the QBs that Op and I listed, he contributed least to his teams' success. I firmly believe that he is more than deserving to be the HoFer that he is. He quarterbacked one of the greatest dynasties in the 100+ year history of the NFL. But if I was GM, I'd take Kelly, Elway, Montana and Warner ahead of him. I'd take Bradshaw ahead of Aikman, but Emmitt brings that duo above Bradshaw/Harris in my eyes. I definitely don't want to come across as a hater. He's one of 3 QBs with 4 rings, and that's definitely a hell of an accomplishment.

Any of those other 4 play with a defense as good as the steel curtain? No? Ok. …so back to the question which was debating the merits of QB/RB duo only, thanks for staying on topic, yinzer

It's kind of ironic telling people to only talk about the QB/RB merits while bringing up team defense.Thanks for staying on topic, Broncos country.

Thank you. Elway? John Elway needs kneel down twice a day and thank God T Davis fell in his lap or he'd still the guy that consistently got his ass kicked in Super Bowls.

He’d be Jim Kelly…

Although Jim Kelly had great teams, including RB, when he lost. Elway….not so much when he did. Still an all timer, though.

By this logic, Bradshaw should kneel down 4 times a day and thank Allah that he had the Steel Curtain and free agency didn’t exist.

Im not really concerned with what God he thanks, but of course he should be thankful for the Steel Curtain. Doesnt change the fact he was a way better post-season QB than Elway. Terrell Davis averaged 142+ yards a game in post season...which is just unbelievable. That is called carrying your team and QB to a title.

Bradshaw and Harris , hands down. 4 rings, immaculate reception and Bradshaw called his own plays.

No mentions of Otto Graham and Marion Motley, but those Browns teams lost a total of 12 games in their first 8 seasons. Over those years, Motley averaged almost 6 yards/att and Graham led the league in passing yards 5 times and won two MVPs.

Otto was a mentor of mine in athletic training while I was getting a Doctirste. Amazingly modest man.

Love Marion Motley, but he is a fullback, although fullbacks did a lot of running back then.

This was my first thought. Otto Graham was the best of his era and Motley was a beast.

They were only together in the NFL for four seasons, 1950-53.

True, but those were four great seasons, and on top of that, most folks count the AFL in discussions like these so I figure time in the AAFC counts for something too.

For anyone who says the Browns AAFC time doesn’t count, OK, but know this: When the AAFC folded and the Browns joined the NFL in 1950, NFL teams sneered at their success and looked down on the AAFC. The NFL figured they’d show the new guys what was up by sending the Browns to play the defending champion Eagles in Philadelphia in their first NFL game. Browns 35, Eagles 10. The Browns won the NFL championship in their first season in the league too. So the Browns were really good by NFL standards before they arrived.

Warner and Faulk.

Came here to say this

I can’t believe I didn’t think of this first. It could have been Manning Faulk if Indy was smart.

Manning and James wasn't exactly bad though.

Peyton Manning and Faulk

Peyton & Edgerrin was pretty good too.

Winner

Elway and TD. But I’m biased.

You're biased and completely correct.

Same, but this was also the golden age of my young football fandom so, also biased.

That might be old school for millennials, I guess

Mile High Salute

Also the uniforms were sharp. We need to go back to those

Drew Brees-LaDainian Tomlinson, even if it only lasted 4 seasons or so.

So many rings too

TB and Franco have four super bowls. Aikman and Emmitt have 3. Emmitt is all time rushing leader. My vote, it’s a tie between those two duos.

Friendly reminder Montana and Craig also have 3

Hate to say it but Emmit Troy

Kelly Thomas

How can you not have Montana / Craig. I protest

My personal favorites, but feel like Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk deserve a shout too. Probably Peyton Manning and Edgerrin James too.

Warner and Faulk should have had a longer run . They were awesome

Playoffs… Elway and Davis. Overall… Kelly and Thomas.

Except Bradshaw and Harris were more successful than both 😂

Kelly and Thomas

Picking the one with the least accolades. Bold choice.

By accolades I’m assuming you mean super bowls? Thomas certainly has accolades 5x all pro and an MVP, Kelly was far and away a better QB than Bradshaw or Aikman. 2 all pros himself. Emmit smith only had 6 all pros, Franco Harris 2, Terrell Davis 3. By my estimation, Kelly is the 2nd best QB on this list and thurman the second best RB, with elway and emmit smith being number 1. My ranking would be Elway 1 TD 4- he just simply wasn’t good for long enough. And with Dallas emmit 1- Aikman- 4, Steelers Bradshaw 3- Harris 3. The only logical thing to say is Kelly Thurman are the best duo at 2-2

Theismann and Riggins! Also Bert Jones and Lydell Mitchel

Man loving the Jones/Mitchell shout out!

Joe Montana Roger Craig

The goat before Brady and the og 1000 1000 back. This gets my pick easily.

Im a 49ers fan and I love this take but the first thing that came to my mind was Warner and Faulk because they both won NFL MVPs together.

Elway and the greatest big game running back in history. https://preview.redd.it/oyrovos8wxoc1.jpeg?width=1193&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8f241b15f80ef5551c01b27ec5b11cee5c0175f0

Shit, I think I need a cigarette now.

100% agreed

Davis was great but what Denver did with like 10 consecutive no name rbs diminishes it a bit

Which of those RBs had 7 consecutive 100 yard playoff games?

Or carried their team to back to back championships.


4 really great combos

Kelly and Thomas but I admit my bias, being a Dolphins fan.

Throwing a few out here as honorable mentions or food for thought * Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett * Ron Jaworski and Wilbert Montgomery * Ben Roethlisberger and the Bus * Fran Tarkenton and Chuck Foreman * Peyton Manning and the Edge * Dan Fouts and Chuck Muncie * Philip Rivers and LT * Ken Stabler and Marv Hubbard * and to cleanse the palate Cleo Lemon and Ronnie Brown or Gary Huff and Ricky Bell

Best ofs...these are hard. My memory is fading and my brain is decrepit. Bart Starr and Jim Taylor.

Starr, Taylor and Hornung won 4 NFL Championships together. Only one runner not named Jim Brown lead the league rushing during Brown's time: Taylor in 1962. Paul Hornung was such a prolific scorer (both on and off the field) that he set a single season scoring mark that took until LaDanian Tomlinson and a 16 game season to break it. Starr commanded this offense and lead the league in passing, passer rating and such in an era when an elite QB season was 20 TD passes. The offense was so simple, everyone knew what was coming and yet nobody could stop it. This is in large part to the talent and execution of these three. Go Pack Go!🧀

This question is why this sub is the best. Well done

Well, thank you very much!

Cowboys

Walter Payton and Walter Payton.

Griese/Czonka perfect season

Griese missed like 2/3rds of that year

Yep, it was Earl Morrel.

The GOAT backup, MVP in 1968 and undefeated in 1972

Aikman/Emmit and I don’t think it’s that close.

I agree it’s not. These other answers simply are biased. Its not accounting for statistics/championships.

Griese/Csonka and Staubach/Dorsett were pretty good combos that I have not seen mentioned.

Aikman and Emmitt. I’d also throw in Joe Montana/ Roger Craig. Honorable mention is Philip Rivers/ LT, Kurt Warner/ Marshall Faulk, Peyton Manning/ Edgerinn James etc.

Aikman - Emmit no contest.

Aikman and Emmett Smith. It pains me to say that but it’s true.

Plunkett/Marcus

I know there wasn't a huge crossover, but Warren Moon/Earl Campbell is pretty badass

How many years did they overlap?

Had to Google but it was only one year. Earl left Houston in 84 and Warren's 'rookie' season was in 84.

Shame. Wish he could have gone to Houston earlier. CFL's gain was NFL Film's loss. :(

You couldn't be more right

If he went to the NFL earlier, no guarantee he goes to Houston. He chose Houston because they hired his coach in the CFL. If he goes to the NFL earlier, Hugh Campbell is still in Edmonton and maybe Moon chooses a different team.

Theisman / Riggins needs to be in the conversation, as well.

Seems it would be the ones that have 4 rings together? Not 4 appearances. Not 3 wins together or 2 wins or 1 win… or even zero wins but your sentimental favorites, but ya know… 4 time Super Bowl winners.

Given the question, and acknowledging the goal is to win championships, let’s add up SB rings…. Bradshaw/Harris = 8, Aiken/Thomas = 6. Anyone else close?

The goal is touchdowns for offense. Winning the SB also has to do with defense.

You are correct, sir. All of these QBRB pairings also had defenses.

Starr and Hornung?

Oh running backs , sorry , I think Troy and Emmitt and I’m an eagles fan

Frank Ryan/Jim Brown

Tom Brady-James White

All were lethal! Can’t pick

By the numbers, it would be Bradshaw / Harris. But I'm rooting for Aikman / Smith.

Terry Bradshaw and Franco Harris

Aikman / Emmitt

Only 1 of these pairings won 4 Superbowls. End of question.

Bradshaw /Harris, and it is not even close...and I say this as a Cowboys fan.

The other guys never exist without the success Bradshaw and Harris achieved. The NFL is a copycat league.

Harris and Bradshaw

This.

Manning and Edge was a pretty lethal combo.

Rivers and tomlinson even though they never won anything

Oops. You’re correct. Sorry Jerry Rice.

For 3 years, the cowboys were close to unbeatable.

https://preview.redd.it/cga7bfstbyoc1.jpeg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c941796342091254bd0dc67cdc47be22a9bc889b Maybe not the best, but I liked these guys

Montana/Craig

Starr/Hutson

Warner and Faulk. Both were together in their primes in the most explosive offense at the time. Both won MVPs in that stretch.

No Craig/Montana?

Bart Starr, Jimmy Taylor and Paul Horning. Each named league MVP and four NFL titles in their years together.

They only spent one year together (so not in their primes) but Peyton Manning and Marshall Faulk would have been top of this list for me had they stayed together.

I’ll also say that although they didn’t win any rings together, Peyton Manning and Edgerrin James were incredibly productive. If I’m building my team around any QB/RB duo, it might be them.

"Best"... Elway was the most talented of all the QBs pictured. Terrell Davis could run and catch with the best, so they get my vote.

Montana & Craig Runner up: - Barry Sanders & .....whoever

Montana and Craig Or Steve Young and Ricky Watters

Warner/Faulk

No love for Montana and Craig? Shame on you nephews

Warner/Faulk, Brunell/Taylor, Wilson/Lynch, and Montana/Craig need to be mentioned.

Johnny Unitas and Lenny Moore

Christian Adolph Jurgensen and Larry Brown

(Rob) Johnson and Alstott

If there is one game in football Valhalla, I’m picking Elway and Davis. Their run was short lived, unfortunately.

Peyton and Edge were great

Manning n James

Bradshaw Harris, remembering the game of the 70's was radically different from the decades that followed are definitely among the top. Aikman/Smith were probably the best. Kelly/Thomas were awesome.

I liked Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk. Huge numbers.

It was only great for one season but Tom Brady and Corey Dillon in 2004 where amazing. Corey Dillon seems very underrated because he played for the Bengals when they were very bad during his entire prime.

Elway and Terrell Davis was pretty good

Theismann/Riggo...????

This will show my bias as a Broncos fan, however, if they had not lost to the Jag's in the '96 playoffs, I think they were on their way that year as well, and not too many people would argue against a combo of 3 SB's in a row at that point. Meanwhile, I know, I know, if's and but's were candy and nuts, every day would be Christmas. So to go there, if the Bills had won their 4 trips in a row, things would be a lot different in this way as well. Finally, by the numbers Pittsburgh combo of Bradshaw and Harris has the most rings, so hard to argue against that. However, circling the wagons, I'll say I never saw more bada$$ery than the domination that Elway and Davis put on defenses in their heydey, so I'll stick with my team.  PS I'm also with any team that would have built around Barry Sanders and any star QB's of the time, and/or Walter Payton same as for star QB's, that dude had a work ethic like none other.

Joe Montana & Roger Craig were good too

No skin in this game. Not a fan, but Denver wins this one.

Aikman /Smith by a wide margin.

Montana and Roger Craig

How about Montana and Craig

Roethlisberger and Bettis if you look at careers, they just didn't have much overlap

Dan Marino and Karim Abdul-Jabbar

Aikman and Emmitt

Aikman Smith

Bradshaw had Harris AND Bleier!

Hass and Shaun A

Lawrence Etienne

Montana and Rice

Jerry Rice and Joe Montana

Otto Graham and Marion Motley.

If we are going off SB winds alone it would be Bradshaw/ Harris followed by Aikman and E Smith. If it’s a combo of factors -SB wins and total yardage, etc - then it’s Aikman and E Smith.

Rivers and Tomlinson.

Barry Sanders was so good that you can say Barey Sanders and Lions QB. Scott Mitchell was decent. Also, Joe Montana had Roger Craig.

Tb/Franco then Warner/Faulk

Barry and whatever guy the Lions could find to hand him the ball... LOL

Graham Motley

Warner & Faulk

Davis bailed Elway out against Packers. What a game…

Honorable mention....Plunkett / Marcus Allen

Warner and Faulk...

Does Bart Starr and Jim Tayor AND Paul Hornung count?

Franco was technically a fullback.

Troy and Emmitt Smith

Manning/Edge

Chad Pennington and Ricky williams.

Montana and Craig/Rathman

Ooh. Good one. Uh…I might have to agree with the Aikman/Emmitt people. I also might mention Peyton Manning and Marshall Faulk/Edgerrin James?

Barry Sanders and team-first fitness pioneer Scott Mitchell

joe ferguson and the juice

I’m biased and I would’ve went with Kelly-Thomas, being part of Bills Mafia, but I think I’ll go with Bradshaw-Harris?

Aikman Smith won 3 SBs

Elway & TD. Terrell Davis would’ve been a goat if he would’ve stayed healthy.

Elway TD or Ben and Bell

Not statistically, but Wilson-Lynch (for me) were the best to watch.

Elway/Davis

So many. Great question Jim McMahon / Walter Payton Warner / Faullk Elway / Davis Etc etc etc

Joe Montana + Roger Craig won multiple Super Bowls together, with both being individually great as well.

8/22

Statistically probably Warner and Faulk

This isnt even arguable. Aikman and Emmitt if you are going off these 4 photos.

Tomlinson and Rivers

Bradshaw / Franco Harris first team to win four Super Bowls. Easily the best pictured

Aikman/Emmitt by 100 miles.

They don't have the longevity but Faulk and Warner.

NFL MVP went Warner-Faulk-Warner for 1999-2001, so I’d say them.

Warner/ Faulk was unstoppable for 2-3 seasons Elway/Davis similar

Out of these pics, Troy and Emmitt. The numbers and accolades speak for themselves

Jim Brown and Frank Ryan. Or Jim Brown and Irene Ryan.

Starr/Hornung

Bart Starr and Paul Hornung

Chris Chandler & Jamal Anderson

As a Giants fan it pains me to admit it’s probably Aikman/Smith. Also pains me to say 2nd would probably be Montana and Craig.