They've created a solid connection

The top five quarterback-receiver combos in the NFL and five emerging combinations:

By JOANNE KORTH, Times Staff Writer
Published December 2, 2007

Five for the future

Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson, Texans

Johnson was among the AFC's top receivers in 2006, but with David Carr at quarterback, no one seemed to notice. Enter Schaub, a free-agent pickup from the Falcons, and suddenly the Texans have a passing game worthy of their home state - big. In just four games together, they have connected for four touchdown passes.

Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress, Giants

Manning remains somewhat embattled in his fourth season, but Burress, when healthy, has become his clear go-to receiver ahead of veteran Amani Toomer. Tight end Jeremy Shockey is there for the tough yards over the middle, but the Manning-to-Burress touchdown combination will make the Giants contenders for years.

Derek Anderson to Braylon Edwards, Browns

Cleveland finds itself in a situation similar to San Diego two years ago with Drew Brees and Philip Rivers. Fourth-year pro Anderson is having a Pro Bowl season, but highly paid first-round pick Brady Quinn is waiting in the wings. Meanwhile, Anderson and Edwards have the type of chemistry you hate to throw away.

Drew Brees to Marques Colston, Saints

Brees, in his seventh season, is not a young quarterback, but given the astonishing rate at which Saints coach Sean Payton calls passing plays, it won't take long for this combo to put up big numbers. Colston, a seventh-round pick in 2007, has 138 receptions - all from Brees - for 1,185 yards and 14 touchdowns in 26 regular season games.

Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes, Steelers

Hines Ward has been the iconic successor to John Stallworth and Lynn Swann in the Steel City, but Ward is in his 10th season, and his career will be over long before Roethlisberger's. If the Steelers sign Big Ben to a lengthy contract extension - and they certainly should - he and Holmes will be the combo of the future.

2 Tony Romo to Terrell Owens, Cowboys

Last season, when Dallas coach BillParcells called on Romo to replaceDrew Bledsoe, Romo had absolutelyno qualms throwing the ball to thepublicity-seeking Owens. And look at Romo now. After connecting once in Thursday's win against the Packers - had Owens held on in the end zone, it would have been twice - the duo raised its season touchdown total to 15.

3 Peyton Manning to Marvin Harrison, Colts

This combo is an oldie but goodie, holding the NFL record for most touchdowns by a QB-WR tandem at 106. No two players have better chemistry, the product of hours of work. Before every game, they go through the entire passing tree during warmups. But their time together is growing short. Harrison, in his 12th season, has missed six games with a knee injury.

4 Carson Palmer to Chad Johnson, Bengals

Antics aside, Palmer and Johnson are as entertaining a passing combination as the NFL has today. Palmer is widely regarded as the league's best pure thrower, strong-armed and accurate. Johnson, though best known for his fine-inducing touchdown celebrations, is a deep threat few teams have the ability to defend, with an assist to No. 2 receiver and straight man T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

5 Brett Favre to Donald Driver, Packers

In his 17th season, Favre has thrown to a variety of targets over the years, from Sterling Sharpe to Robert Brooks to Antonio Freeman to Javon Walker. There is no more likeable combo in the game than the blue-collar connection of Favre to Driver, good for more than 330 catches, 5,000 yards and 24 touchdowns since 2004.

[Last modified December 1, 2007, 16:59:14]