2008 Best RB & WR 1-2 Punches

1. DeAngelo Williams & Jonathan Stewart

I am still somewhat stunned by the season DeAngelo produced. 1515 yards at 5.5 yards per carry and 20 TDs (18 rushing). I guess he responded to the challenge Carolina presented by drafting Jonathan Stewart with the 13th pick last year. Stewart wasn't a slouch either with 836 yards at 4.5 ypc and 10 TDs. They are just the fourth RB duo to both surpass 10 TDs. They were instrumental in earning the Panters a first round bye.

2. Chris Johnson & LenDale White

Johnson and White almost joined the 10+ rushing TD group as White had 15 and Johnson had 9. Johnson did add one through the air to give him ten total TDs though. Johnson was the big play guy with 1228 yards on a 4.9 ypc, while White was the punisher with 773 yards at a 3.9 clip. The rushing game helped propel the Titans to the #1 seed in the AFC.

3. Brandon Jacobs & Derrick Ward

The only RB combo to each reach 1000 yards. Jacobs was a bull with 1089 yards at 5.0 ypc and 15 TDs. Ward was more than capable spelling and filling in for Jacobs with 1025 yards at 5.6 ypg with 2 TDs. He added 384 yards through the air. Even third-stringer Ahmad Bradshaw was successful with 355 yards at 5.3 ypc. Although Eli had a fine season, it was the rushing attack that gave New York their identity.

4. Adrian Peterson & Chester Taylor

It helps having the NFL's leading rusher in this duo, but Chester Taylor was quite capable as well. Peterson had 1760 yards at 4.8 ypc and 10 TDs. Taylor had 798 total yards, equally split on the ground and through the air. He averaged 4.0 ypc and has six TDs (four rushing). Peterson often made the big play while Chester would make a key play to help the Vikings win the NFC North.

5. Michael Turner & Jerious Norwood

Like Minnesota, this duo is elevated mainly because of their lead back. Michael Turner was simply amazing. Turner rolled to 1699 yards at 4.5 ypc and 17 TDs. Early on he dominated bad teams and was mediocre against good ones. That inconsistenty cost him the rushing title, but he righted that ship by scoring in seven of his last eight games. He started (220 yards vs. Detroit) and finished (208 yards vs. St. Louis) the season with a bang. Norwood doesn't stack up to the other backs in this group, but he did manage 827 yards and 6 TDs (489 & rushing). His 5.1 ypc didn't match the 6.4 & 6.0 from his two prior years, but it's still a pretty good number. They helped make life easier for Matt Ryan as Atlanta made its way back to the playoffs.

6. LaDainian Tomlinson & Darren Sproles

LT wasn't quite himself this year, but he did manage 1536 total yards and 12 TDs (1110 & 11 rushing). His 3.8 ypc wasn't great, but Norv Turner didn't exactly let LT wear teams down like usual. Sproles was more effective catching the ball (342 yards and 5 TDs to 330 & 1), but he did average 5.4 ypc. Not bad considering the Chargers were fairly pass happy this year. They did sneak into the playoffs.

7. Thomas Jones & Leon Washington

Thomas Jones also had a great season. He ran for 1312 yards at 4.5 ypc with 13 TDs, with and additional 207 & 2 through the air. Leon Washington simply made big plays. He had 803 yards (448 rushing) and 9 TDs (6 rushing, 2 receiving & 1 KR). Leon averaged 5.9 ypc. Had they leaned on this duo a little more than Brett's shaky arm, perhaps the Jets would have been in the playoffs.

8. Ronnie Brown & Ricky Williams

This duo was easily the most surprising as Ronnie was coming off a major knee injury and Ricky was trying to overcoming injuries and suspensions. Ronnie had 916 yards at 4.3 ypc with 10 TDs. Ricky had 659 yards at 4.1 ypc with 4 TDs. They each had over 200 receiving yards (Ronnie - 254 & Ricky - 219). They helped turn the Dolphins 1-15 season to a 11-5 AFC East winning one.

Honorable Mention: Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush & Deuce McAllister; Maurice Jones-Drew & Fred Taylor; Joseph Addai & Dominic Rhodes; Marshawn Lynch & Fred Jackson; Le'Ron McClain & Willis McGahee

Wide Receivers

1. Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin & Steve Breaston

All three of these Cardinals wides went for 1000+ yards. Fitz was the steadiest with 96 grabs for 1431 yards and 12 TDs. Without that vicious hit on Boldin, he would probably have the best numbers. He went for 1038 yards and 11 TDs in 12 games. Breaston finished with 1006 yards.

2. Andre Johnson & Kevin Walter

Andre Johnson was perhaps the best WR in football this year with 115 catches for 1575 yards and 8 TDs. He drew so much attention that Walter was able to shake loose for 899 yards and 8 TDs on 60 catches.

3. Brandon Marshall & Eddie Royal

Marshall had a fine season with 104 catches for 1265 yards and 6 TDs. It was his second consecutive 100+ catch season despite missing a game to suspension. Eddie Royal had an impressive rookie year with 91 catches for 980 yards and 5 TDs. He added 109 yards on the ground.

4. Randy Moss & Wes Welker

It's pretty impressive that they make the list despite losing Tom Brady. Moss was the big play guy with 1008 yards and 11 TDs on 69 catches, while Welker was his pesky self grabbing 111 passes for 1165 yards and 3 scores. He has 223 receptions over the past two seasons.

5. Steve Smith & Muhsin Muhammad

Smith racked up 1421 yards and 6 TDs despite missing two games for breaking Ken Lucas' nose. Smith and the two-headed running attack of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart got the attention, but Muhsin turned in another solid year. He had 65 catches for 923 yards and 5 TDs.

6. Greg Jennings & Donald Driver

This WR tandem didn't miss a beat when #4 left town. Jennings had 80 catches for 1292 yards and 9 TDs while Driver went for 1012 yards and 5 TDs on 74 catches.

7. Roddy White & Michael Jenkins

I guess the Falcons didn't completely miss the boat when they drafted these guys in the first rounds of the 2004 & 2005 drafts. Instead of Vick's weapons they ended up excelling without him. Roddy improved from an impressive third season with 88 catches for 1382 yards and 7 TDs while Jenkins had a career high 777 yards on 50 grabs with 3 TDs.

Honorable Mention: Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison & Anthony Gonzalez; Lance Moore, Devery Henderson & Marques Colston; Jerricho Cotchery & Laveranues Coles; Hines Ward & Santonio Holmes

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