Goff and St. Brown were left out in the QB-WR duo rankings

The Detroit Lions may have the best record in the NFL, but that doesn’t mean they have the best players at every single position. Although the Lions Do are pretty close in this regard.

Nonetheless, it’s understandable in the NFL to admit that someone else on a weaker team might just be better than your guys in one category or another. But we can all agree that statistics often lie.

ESPN recently compiled a ranking of the best quarterback-wide receiver duos in the NFL and some of the results are a bit confusing, namely where Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown land on the list.

As I’ve already suggested, it’s fair to admit that Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals have a strong case for being the best duo, despite the Bengals’ putrid win-loss record. Both players are playing at an elite level, as expected, but they happen to be accompanied by one of the worst defenses in the NFL.

But after that, Goff and St. Brown should be next, right? Through the first 13 games, the two have combined for 81 completions (most in the league), 892 yards and 10 touchdowns (behind only Burrow and Chase). The yardage is a bit low as teams have been able to get to St. Brown a little more than expected this season. But first in receptions and second in touchdowns, that should easily be enough for second place.

Except, no. ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, a former Lions quarterback who decided the rankings, listed Goff and St. Brown fourth behind Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown and Minnesota’s Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson.

There’s an article on the front page of ESPN today detailing the Eagles’ issues in the passing game, particularly between Hurts and Brown. Not to mention, the Lions duo has almost twice as many receptions and more than twice as many touchdowns. That doesn’t exactly sound like second best at the moment.

For Darnold and Jefferson, their argument is somewhat more divided. Jefferson Is Darnold is the best receiver in the league and has staged a Herculean comeback this season – and the duo’s stats are impressive: 75 completions, 1,170 yards (the most in the NFL) and seven touchdowns.

The Detroit duo has a strong argument for the second-best spot behind the Minnesota duo or the Cincinnati duo — but not both.

READ MORE: These Detroit Lions were named the best at their positions

At the end of the day, Detroit’s duo wins games – scoring against both and, more importantly, against Burrow and Chase. Second, Orlovsky pointed out in his analysis: No duo in the league has more first downs (53) and zero drops at the same time. Hits two and three.

Make your choice. Goff and St. Brown may be the 1A or 1B for Minnesota or Cincinnati, but certainly not the fourth, with all due respect to Orlovsky. Respect yourself, Dan, and love your work, but you’ve missed the mark here.