In what is now described as a passing league, the NFL has to be thrilled for Sunday's Week 6 matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears, sure to be promoted as the battle between two of the best WR duos in the game, Falcons WRs Roddy White and Julio Jones, as well as Chicago's WRs, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.
Only for the sake of a good debate, we thought it was worth mentioning the duo's numbers, entering Sunday's game:
Julio Jones: 40 receptions for 552 yards and 3 TDs
Roddy White: 16 receptions for 213 yards and 2 TDs
Total: 56 receptions for 765 yards and 5 TDs
Brandon Marshall: 19 receptions for 188 yards and 5 TDs
Alshon Jeffery: 26 receptions for 359 yards and 2 TDs
Total: 45 receptions for 547 yards and 7 TDs
While the debate can go on for years, once the ball is kicked off Sunday, Jones and White won't contend with either Marshall or Jeffery, instead focused on executing offensive play calls on the field and studying Chicago's defensive coverages, when on the sideline.Â
As the Falcons prepare to return to the Georgia Dome to take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday, keep an eye on these storylines.
"We just have to go out there and do what we do," Jones said Thursday. "We've got to follow our game plan and go out there and make plays; we can't worry about Chicago receivers, because they don't have an affect on how we play. Everybody is always comparing me and Roddy to them and a lot of other duos in the league, but I don't really watch other receivers at all; I just try to focus on my game and try to get better as a player."
Atlanta's wide receivers will benefit far more from studying the Bears defense, which in 2014 has been highlighted by rookie CB Kyle Fuller, who has 25 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles, and S Chris Conte, who has 16 tackles and two interceptions.
"The Bears defense looks good," White said. "They get turnovers. They play the ball very well. They're really good in cover-2 and zone dropping and things like that. They get their linebackers in the lanes and can rush the passer; they get after you."
Reminder: Sunday's kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET