Ralph Vacchiano

NFL Reporter

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Eric Williams

NFL Reporter

With the Davante Adams trade to the New York Jets serving as a backdrop, we took a closer look at the top passing trios in the league — specifically, quarterbacks and their top two wide receivers.

Teams like the Los Angeles Rams, who have Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua out, along with the Miami Dolphins without Tua Tagovailoa, were not considered because of injuries.

We weighed production and talent, along with the amount of fear these groups put in opposing defenses.

That said, here’s our list of the 10 best quarterback-WR tandems in the NFL right now.  

1. Cincinnati Bengals: QB Joe Burrow, WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins

Their offense doesn’t always operate at an elite level, but that’s not because of a lack of talent. Burrow is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the NFL, regardless of distance or situation, and he’s got a knack for putting the ball in the perfect situation for his receivers. Not that he needs to, necessarily, for Chase and Higgins. Both of them are so tough when it comes to making contested catches and they both have the explosiveness to turn any throw into a big play.

Chase might be the most explosive receiver in the NFL. He’s averaging 16.6 yards per catch and almost half of that average (7.8) comes after the catch — second best in the NFL among receivers with at least 20 catches this season. And Higgins has become a sure-handed underneath target, with zero drops this season. At some point this season, this passing attack is going to get rolling, and when it does, more wins will likely follow. — Ralph Vacchiano

2. Houston Texans: QB C.J. Stroud, WRs Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs

Stroud has shown that last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign was no fluke, as he’s now an MVP candidate in his second season. One of the primary reasons for that is the playmakers that the Texans have surrounded him with on the perimeter. Collins is a problem for most NFL cornerbacks because of his size (6-4, 222 pounds) and ability to make contested catches.

Houston added another dimension to its offensive attack in the offseason by trading for Diggs. A former All-Pro who can still get vertical and make plays downfield, Diggs has been most effective in the slot for Houston, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards from that alignment. Add in explosive playmaker Tank Dell, and the Texans have an argument for boasting the best passing group in the NFL. — Eric Williams

3. Philadelphia Eagles: QB Jalen Hurts, WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith

The Eagles have almost $200 million in guaranteed money invested in this trio, and they’re worth every penny. The addition of Brown, in particular, transformed Hurts and the Eagles’ offense when he arrived in 2022. The year before, Hurts threw almost exclusively toward the outside where Smith was being double-teamed by everyone. When Brown arrived, he opened up the middle of the field for the Eagles and their offense exploded.

Brown is a master at getting open, especially in the deep middle where he can turn on the jets and turn a 20-yard throw into a long touchdown. In the two games he’s played this year, he’s averaging 21.4 yards per catch. Smith isn’t as explosive or prolific, but he’s shockingly tough for someone with such a slight frame (6-foot, 170). He’s sure-handed too, with no drops this season and only five last year.

Hurts isn’t the most dynamic passer, and he’s not the quarterback he was in 2022. But few are better at creating outside the pocket, where he’s a dangerous runner and has a knack for finding open receivers on extended plays. The ability of Brown and Smith to get open has a lot to do with that. — Ralph Vacchiano

4. New York Jets: QB Aaron Rodgers, WRs Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson

It’s understandable why Rodgers wanted to reunite with Adams. And don’t get it twisted — even though he turns 32 in December, Adams can still play. He’s one of the best route runners in the league, and the chemistry the two had in Green Bay was special. The addition of Adams will make the Jets better in situational football, like third down and in the red zone, because of Adams’ ability to win in compact spaces and make tough, contested catches on a consistent basis.

With Adams in the fold, Wilson will be freed up to stretch the field vertically and make more explosive plays downfield, creating a dynamic duo to take pressure off Rodgers to be perfect in the passing game. While Wilson’s target share will take a hit in the short term, he should get more desirable matchups with Adams on the other side, which will lead to more big plays. Because of their unique and complimentary skill sets, Adams and Wilson will be one of the tougher WR tandems for defenses to prepare for in the second half of the season. — Eric Williams

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Baker Mayfield, WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin

This second act for Mayfield has been something to watch. Surrounded with the kind of playmakers he never had in Cleveland, he has suddenly become a more accurate and much more prolific passer. He has always had a canon of an arm, though it came with a tendency to be a little wild. Now he’s got receivers who can handle it.

There are few who have been better or more consistent in the NFL over the past decade than Evans. He’s big (6-5, 231), strong and sure-handed (just one drop this season). And maybe nobody is better at coming down with jump balls. He’s also a reliable red-zone target too, with 18 touchdowns since the start of last season.

And the speedy Godwin is the perfect complement. He’s the YAC king — the NFL leader in yards after the catch, with 324 of his 511 receiving yards coming after the ball hits his hands. And when it hits, it stays there. He has just two drops this year and has averaged only three per season. When Mayfield throws his direction, he has a passer rating of 138.3. — Ralph Vacchiano

6. San Francisco 49ers: QB Brock Purdy, WRs Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel

Credit begins with Purdy, who is doing more of the heavy lifting this season with Christian McCaffrey sidelined. Teams are playing more man coverage and committing more bodies to stopping the run, leading to more throws by Purdy down the field into tight coverage.

But Purdy has successfully made the switch, which is why he’s entered the MVP conversation. Samuel has assumed McCaffrey’s role as the primary movable chess piece in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, lining up all over the field. And after a slow start due to missing the offseason because of a contract dispute, Aiyuk is finally taking on a larger role in the offense. Samuel and Aiyuk remain two of the best receivers in the league in creating explosive plays, and Jauan Jennings has an argument as the best third receiver in the NFL. — Eric Williams

7. Detroit Lions: QB Jared Goff, WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams

Jared Goff is the most underrated quarterback in the NFL, and he has been since his days in Los Angeles where he took the Rams to a Super Bowl. He’s always been smart and accurate with a strong-enough arm. He certainly can get himself into trouble and has had a few years with way too many interceptions. But for the most part, he’s shown he can win, as long as he doesn’t have to carry a team.

In Detroit, he doesn’t. The Lions have a terrific defense and running game for that. Goff also has a strong receiver duo in St. Brown and Williams. St. Brown is just a notch below the top-tier receivers in the NFL. He had a huge season last year, but it was more because he knows how to get open and is a high-volume player (164 targets last year, fifth most in the NFL).

Williams is the explosive one. He only has 16 catches so far this season, but they’ve gone for 365 yards. His average of 11.6 yards after the catch leads all wideouts. In fact, the next closest receiver (Xavier Worthy, Chiefs) averages 9.0. Brown is the safety net for Goff. But Williams is always one play away from being gone. — Ralph Vacchiano

8. Seattle Seahawks: QB Geno Smith, WRs D.K. Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Because of his sheer size, physicality and speed, Metcalf is one of the league’s toughest matchups for defensive backs. However, new Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has yet to unlock Metcalf’s skill set in his scheme. Add to that a wily veteran like Tyler Lockett, who remains Smith’s most trusted receiver, and Seattle presents a problem for opposing defenses because of its ability to both stretch the field vertically with Metcalf and win over the middle with Lockett.

But the up-and-comer in the Seahawks’ offense is former first-round selection Smith-Njigba. While the Ohio State product is Seattle’s third receiver on paper, he’ll likely lead the team in receptions and targets by the end of the year because of his sticky hands and ability to create consistent separation in tight quarters. — Eric Williams

9. Atlanta Falcons: QB Kirk Cousins, WRs Drake London and Darnell Mooney

This inclusion goes beyond the 509-yard, four-touchdown game Cousins had two weeks ago against Tampa Bay. At 36 years old and in his first year in Atlanta, he isn’t likely to have many games like that. Cousins’ best attribute is his efficiency. He gets the ball to his playmakers. In fact, 82.7% of his passes this season have been rated as “on target” by Pro Football Reference — the best percentage in the league.

That’s why both of his receivers are off to excellent starts. London looks like he’s ready to finally break out in his third NFL season, as he’s on pace for 108 catches, 1,212 yards and 11 touchdowns. At 6-foot-4, 213 pounds, he’s so big and strong, and he has just eight career drops. It never made sense that he wasn’t a better red-zone target. Cousins is the right quarterback to make him one.

Atlanta is also getting a lot from Mooney out of the slot, though he’s dropped a few too many passes this season (five). The veteran is shifty and good at adjusting his route. He and London give Cousins a nice inside-outside combination, which has surprisingly given the Falcons one of the best passing attacks in the league. — Ralph Vacchiano

10. Minnesota Vikings: QB Sam Darnold, WRs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison

Minnesota has the best receiver in the NFL in Jefferson, so let’s start there. His ability to win contested catches and create explosive plays is elite, giving Darnold someone to throw the ball to when the picture is muddy on any given play. Jefferson’s playmaking alone is one of the main reasons Darnold is experiencing a rebirth in Minnesota.

And while he’s been dinged up this season, Addison proved last year as a rookie that he is a stellar wingman opposite Jefferson. The USC product is a smooth route runner who also makes plays after the catch. And despite his 5-11, 175-pound frame, Addison is not afraid to go across the middle and take big hits while coming down with the football. — Eric Williams 

Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. He spent the previous six years covering the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and before that, 16 years covering the Giants and the NFL for the New York Daily News. Follow him Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.

Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.

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Tom Aspinall may have pro wrestling in his future after making an appearance at a WWE show in Manchester, England this week.

The interim UFC heavyweight champion was introduced by WWE universal champion Cody Rhodes, and made his way to the ring to a rousing ovation from his home crowd. Check out the video below.

Shortly thereafter, WWE world champ Gunther — who faces Rhodes at WWE’s Crown Jewel on Nov. 2 — made his way out to the ring.

Gunther put over Aspinall’s accomplishments before asking for an all-champions photo with the Aspinall and Rhodes. Gunther then went on to wish Rhodes good luck in their matchup for Saudi Arabia and offered up a handshake.

Aspinall then asked them, ‘“Why wait until Crown Jewel, when we can do this right here, right now in Manchester?” The crowd was into it, but cooler heads ultimately prevailed.

After winning the interim belt with a quick knockout of Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 this past November, Aspinall successfully defended the title in July with a first-round finish of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July. Aspinall will be the backup fighter for the upcoming UFC 309 heavyweight championship main event between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will be out for a “few weeks” with a muscle injury.

The 19-year-old England international suffered the problem during United’s 0-0 Premier League draw at Aston Villa and subsequently withdrew from the Three Lions squad for their two Nations League games last week.

Defender Harry Maguire has also been ruled out for a similar timescale after also picking up an injury at Villa Park.

However, Noussair Mazraoui has returned to training following a recent medical procedure after suffering heart palpitations.

The Morocco international underwent a precautionary, minor corrective procedure to rectify a relatively common condition last week.

Midfielder Manuel Ugarte undertook a recovery session on Thursday after limping off in Uruguay’s goalless World Cup qualifying draw against Ecuador on Tuesday.

Alejandro Garnacho (knee) and Amad Diallo (illness) were also back in training after missing games for Argentina and Ivory Coast respectively, and look set to be involved when United welcome Brentford to Old Trafford on Saturday.

Mason Mount and Luke Shaw remain sidelined, while Tyrell Malacia continues to progress towards full fitness after a long-term knee injury.

Raul Rosas Jr. knows he’s ready for ranked competition but he’s also trusting in the UFC to do right by him.

Following a win over Aoriqileng at UFC 306, the 19-year-old prospect immediately called for a top 15 opponent but that’s not a demand. Instead, Rosas just wants the chance to propel his career forward with hopes that he’ll eventually find himself in title contention.

“If I would have went out there and got the finish, I would for sure have a good argument to get a top 15 [opponent],” Rosas told MMA Fighting. “I want a top 15 [opponent] but if my next fight is not against a top 15 fighter, I want somebody that the UFC would be like ‘if you beat this guy, we’ll give you a ranked opponent next.’ But either way, I want to be that close.

“I just want fights that will get me closer to the belt. I don’t want to fight somebody that I’ll just beat and I stay in the same spot. I want to beat somebody that will get me way closer to the belt.”

Rosas has long stated that he wants to become UFC champion but he also acknowledges that he’s got plenty of time to get there.

While beating a ranked opponent would certainly speed along that process, Rosas realizes that there are plenty of UFC veterans without a number next to their name that still count as a quality win.

Facing a veteran like Aoriqileng with nearly 40 fights on his record gave Rosas some valuable experience but now he just wants the chance to step up to the next rung on the ladder when it comes to the hierarchy in the UFC’s bantamweight division.

“That’s the ultimate goal,” Rosas said about becoming UFC champion. “Regardless, I’m still getting more experienced. Every fight I’m getting better and better.

“Like this fight, I took it as a way to get more experience because it was a step up in competition. He was the best fighter that I fought so far. He was like a veteran, he was able to stay relaxed and he’s got power in his hands, good takedown defense so it was a step up in competition but the right step up. If I get another fight like that, the right step up then I’ll take it.”

When it comes to timing, Rosas admits that he would love to get one more fight before the end of the year but he’s not ready to commit to a date just yet with some lingering injuries that need to heal.

“I’m not 100 percent healthy,” Rosas said. “I have a few injuries from the fight, I injured my knee a little bit. It’s getting better. But I had injuries before the fight and they’re still messed up. I’m going to try to heal those up and once I get healed up, I’ll book a fight.

“I do want to fight in December but if I book it right now, I don’t want to risk to have to pull out because I haven’t recovered. So I want to make sure I recover 100 percent and then I’ll book a fight.”

If December doesn’t happen, Rosas revealed that he probably won’t fight again until at least April 2025 because he wants to enjoy some time with his family around the holidays. Like most teenagers his age, Rosas would really love a Christmas break, especially after missing out this past year.

“I’ll be honest, I don’t want to fight January, February or March,” Rosas said. “If I do get one in, I want it to be this year or a little bit after March. Because I want to be able to enjoy Christmas.

“Last year, I didn’t get to enjoy it because I had a fight in February so I had to train all December and January. Even though the fight didn’t happen because I got sick the day of the fight but I had been training since December. I’m not going to lie, it kind of sucked so this year I want to enjoy Christmas.”

Rosas expects to know within a couple weeks whether or not he’ll be healthy enough to fight again in 2024, especially with a potential grappling match on the horizon in October.

“I’m already training,” Rosas said. “I’m already in camp because I think I have a big grappling match coming up, a big name, but obviously I can’t really say [yet], nothing’s signed, nothing’s confirmed yet but I got the offer and I said yes. We’ll see if that goes through and that will happen Oct. 26.”

Irene Aldana had a rough night at the office at UFC 306, and although a lot was unpreventable, some other things were not, at least according to the former UFC title challenger.

Unfortunately for Aldana (15-8 MMA, 8-6 UFC), she suffered arguably the worst cut in UFC history during her decision loss to Norma Dumont in her women’s bantamweight bout at Sphere in Las Vegas last month. It was a gruesome gash that went from the bottom of her eyebrow all the way to her hairline and appeared to be half an inch wide. This nasty cut stemmed from an accidental, but illegal, headbutt towards the end of Round 2.

Although these things happen in the chaotic nature of the fight game, Aldana claims she was hit more than once with headbutts.

“It wasn’t just the only one headbutt, there were multiple in that fight,” Aldana told MMA Junkie in Spanish in an exclusive interview. “I’ve seen that in other similar cases, the referee calls the fighter’s attention. ‘Watch the headbutts, watch the headbutts.’ I think in this situation, there was no warning from the referee.”

But apart from claiming the headbutts were a repeating offense that went unnoticed by referee Herb Dean, Aldana left with several questions about the handling by officials after the clash of heads that caused the massive cut.

“I’ve seen fights stopped for smaller cuts, at least for the doctor to get called to check the cut to see if the fighter should continue,” Aldana said. “Honestly, I thought the approach from the cutman and the commission in the corner was very strange.

“I don’t remember the doctor checking on the cut, and I didn’t get Vaseline. The cutman was putting his weight onto the cut, and I feel like that opened it more. I remember having to posture firmly so I wouldn’t go back because his body weight was on me. I do think it would’ve been best to check the replay and have the doctor check on the cut. On that aspect, I do think it was poorly managed.”

Upon checking the fight replay, it does appear that Aldana didn’t get Vaseline on her cut to stop or reduce the bleeding and help further punches slide off the face easier, thus preventing the cut from worsening. Aldana got a swab and towel pressed on the cut for the entirety of the 60 seconds awarded in between rounds.

Once Round 3 started, the full five minutes ran continuously. Despite having a downpour of blood on her face and body, a doctor was never brought in to check on Aldana, which she found surprising.

“It was risky to continue after seeing he cut and the videos, I mean you could basically see my skull,” Aldana said. “It was a risk, I could’ve gotten a facial paralysis or had big consequences of it, but that’s how things played out, and fortunately, I’m OK. I do hang on to the fact that I got a small chance to go finish the fight. I’m happy with that. But on the way things were handled by the commission, I do have my doubts.”

Aldana has mixed feelings about how things were handled. She knows there was a health risk, but at the same time, the fighter in her was happy she got to display her heart and toughness to the MMA world.

“It was very risky, my health was on the line, but the fighter in me is happy it wasn’t stopped because after seeing the fight, even though my vision was limited, I still connected and came after her,” Aldana explained. “So, I can say I pushed myself as far as I could as a human and a fighter – which is my objective in this sport, to see how far I can push my limits.

“I think that was an achievement from me in that aspect. But of course, I do think, ‘Man, what if something bad would’ve happened? I would’ve had something bad stem from this.’ On the commission side, I don’t know, wipe the blood away, just put Vaseline in. With that, I likely wouldn’t have had as much blood on my face or maybe the cut wouldn’t have opened up as bad as the fight went on. On that aspect, I’m not too happy. But as a fighter, I did get the chance to continue.”

Today, Aldana is back to training strength and conditioning, and understandably so, taking some time away from sparring and contact training.

Although a scary incident, the Lobo Gym product is eager to return to action when her injuries heal.

“I’m more motivated than ever,” Aldana said. “I’ve gone through a lot in this sport – very high highs and very low lows. It’s been an interesting and turbulent journey and after going through so much, I can’t just stop here. Things can’t get worse, I’ve been through a lot. I also find a ton of motivation in getting so much love and support from the community.

“The goal is still the same: winning the UFC title. I’m just going to take some time off and not rush back. I need time to recover and address old injuries. So I’m going in the shop, and then getting back in the gym slowly. As long as my body permits it, I’m going to continue.”

Alexander Volkanovski has specific criteria in mind for his next fight — he wants to return at UFC 312 in Australia and he wants gold on the line.

The former featherweight king hasn’t competed since he suffered a devastating knockout loss to Ilia Topuria back in February, which cost him the 145-pound title. With the UFC now returning to Australia on Feb. 9, Volkanovski makes it clear that he plans to fight on that card come hell or high water.

“I’m going to do whatever it takes to make sure that I am on that card,” Volkanovski said during a local press conference announcing the event via Submission Radio. “I’ll be entertaining in Sydney in February, 100 percent.

“Whether it is for the title, an interim Alexander Volkanovski open to interim title fight against Diego Lopes at UFC 312 in Australia, lightweight title, I don’t care what it is. If for some reason I can’t get a fight, I’ll entertain on the DJ decks or something. I’ll find a way to do it.”

Ideally, Volkanovski would like to fight the winner of the UFC 308 main event where Topuria puts his featherweight title up for grabs against Max Holloway.

But the 36-year-old former champion acknowledges that there’s all sorts of potential obstacles that could prevent the winner from fighting in late October and then competing again three months later in early February.

He hopes either Topuria or Holloway stay healthy enough to fight again that soon but that’s also why Volkanovski has the idea about introducing an interim title in their absence.

“If there’s injuries or something, I think an interim could be that might fit,” Volkanovski said. “Max, if he was to win, he obviously has the ‘BMF’ belt as well so whether he moves up to lightweight, which would mean an interim. So we’ve had these conversations and I’m really going to push for that.

“I’m pretty sure they do both want quick turnarounds. You’ve got injuries that could get in the way, other divisions for Max. So that could mean maybe an interim title, which is fine. Anything with gold, I’ll be happy. That’ll just lock me in for whoever wins that anyways. So even if it’s interim, that’s still a big one.”

While nothing has been decided yet and probably won’t until after UFC 308 concludes, Volkanovski believes that top-ranked contender Diego Lopes is the most likely candidate for an opponent if Topuria or Holloway aren’t available.

Fresh off a win over Brian Ortega in September, Lopes is set to weigh-in as the backup fighter for the title bout in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 26. Volkanovski welcomes that challenge to ensure he gets to fight in Australia in February.

“I’d say it would be an exciting one with [Diego] Lopes if that was going to happen,” Volkanovski said. “If not, it’s Max or Ilia.”

As far as who he’s picking to win at UFC 308, Volkanovski has plenty of history with both men but right now he’s leaning towards a new champion being crowned in Holloway.

“I think he’s proven himself time and time again,” Volkanovski said about Holloway. “So it looks like I might have to do No. 4 with the guy so we’ll see what happens.

:I’d probably like to compete with Ilia, get that win back, to be quite honest but I was asked the question who do I think would win, I thought it probably would be Max. But whoever it is, they’ve got the belt so that’s exciting.”