Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson and the 7 Best Active QB to WR Connections

With the 2011 NFL season now a quarter way through, dominant quarterback to wide receiver duos have begun to prevail. 

While some of these tandems are usual suspects, there's some new faces leading the forefront.

The NFL is now a passing league, and these men simply dominate the competition week in and week out. It's a great time for offense in the NFL, and these guys don't disappoint. They are must-see TV and leave fans always craving more.

Here are the best active quarterback to wide receiver connections in the game today. 

Honorable Mention: Drew Brees to Jimmy Graham

Drew Brees has been one of the most prolific passers in the NFL for years. All the while, he used a plethora of receivers and it was never really evident who was his favorite.

Suddenly, Brees has taken a liking to Jimmy Graham and their relationship appears to be a slam dunk for the New Orleans Saints.

The two have connected 24 times thus far on the season for 367. Graham has back-to-back 100-yard games, including 10 balls for 132 in Week 4.

Brees was already stellar without having a go-to guy. Now that he has one, expect to see a lot of Brees to Graham highlights in the future. 

No. 8: Eli Manning to Hakeem Nicks

Now is his third season in the league, Hakeem Nicks is the clear No. 1 target of Eli Manning.

Nicks presents a rare combination of size and speed and is a nightmare for all defenders. He has 347 yards on 24 catches in just four weeks this season. Nicks appears to be well on his way to his second consecutive 1,000-plus-yard season. 

The Giants are now 3-1 on the season and look to be a legitimate playoff threat at the moment. With the Manning to Nicks correlation, the sky is the limit. 

No. 7: Michael Vick to DeSean Jackson

Michael Vick to DeSean Jackson is one of the most electric hook-ups in the NFL. Jackson is one of the fastest men in the league and he's a touchdown threat every time he touches the ball. It's almost certain that Jackson will reach the 1,000-yard plateau for the third-consectutive season. 

This season Vick and Jackson have connected 16 times so far for 324 yards, and 171 of these yards came in Week 4 on just six catches. 

Although the Philadelphia Eagles are struggling, they have a gold mine in Vick to Jackson.

Head coach Andy Reid should make sure that Jackson gets the ball in his hands at least 10 times a game. 

No. 6: Matt Schaub to Andre Johnson

Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson have long been feared in Houston. The Texans have one of the best threats in all of football. 

Truth be told, Johnson makes it look easy. Despite leaving the game early with a hamstring injury versus the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4, Johnson already had 352 yards on 25 catches this season. 

While it is unclear how long he'll be hampered with this injury, the Schaub to Johnson connection is scary. After all, Johnson has 4,360 yards in just the last three season. Wow.  

No. 5: Ben Roethlisberger to Mike Wallace

Ben Roethlisberger to Mike Wallace has almost become comical to watch. Wallace appears to be shot out of a cannon as Roethlisberger simply heaves the ball in the air only to be brought down by his wide receiver.

Wallace already has 454 yards on the season on 25 catches. He had 1,257 yards last season on just 60 catches.

The fact that he's on pace for 100 catches means he may end-up with 1,800-plus yards receiving. 

Although the Pittsburgh Steelers are 2-2 and Roethlisberger appears injured, fans should be confident in the fact that Wallace can catch a ball tossed up by any quarterback.

No. 4: Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings

Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings has become expected in Green Bay. Right now, these guys are hold the belt as defending Super Bowl champs, and they look to be in good shape to make another run at a second ring.

Rodgers and Jennings have connected 25 times for 366 yards and three touchdowns this season. Jennings will once again eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in Green Bay this season. 

To be the best, you have to beat the best and right now these guys are nearly indestructible. 

No. 3: Cam Newton to Steve Smith

Cam Newton was the No. 1 pick in this year's NFL draft, but he had plenty of critics. Newton has done nothing but hush those critics through the first four weeks of his career. 

Newton has an astounding 1,386 yards and five touchdowns through the air so far. He also has 133 yards with four more scores on the ground.

Newton's best wide receiver, Steve Smith has 530 of those yards with a pair of trips to pay dirt. Smith is fun to watch again. Coming into the season, Smith was an afterthought, almost left for dead in Carolina. He now is only 24 yards behind his 2010 total—in only four weeks!

Newton has quickly changed the perception of Smith as he has proved that he's got plenty left in the tank and he's hungry to win. Smith is rejuvenated and a joy to watch. 

Despite a current 1-3 record, things are looking good for the Carolina Panthers because of this dynamic duo. 

No. 2: Tom Brady to Wes Welker

Tom Brady and Wes Welker have connected so many times this season, 40, that it's almost boring. 

This duo is ridiculous. Welker is a nightmare in a fantasy PPR league. Along with his 40 catches, Welker already has 616 yards and five touchdowns on the season, and 29 of these catches have been for a first down for the New England Patriots.  

Fans love to hate this combination, but they're too good to hate. This is the NFL and Brady and Welker make it look easy. For goodness sake, Welker is on pace for a head-scratching 160 catches.

It'll be interesting to watch the records crumble for Brady and Welker the rest of the season.  

No. 1: Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson

Forget about it. Any time the Lions get into the red zone, the ball will be caught for a touchdown by Calvin Johnson. 

Quarterback Matthew Stafford is finally healthy, the Lions are 4-0 for the first time since 1980 and Johnson is proving why he's the best receiver in the NFL. 

Stafford to Johnson is almost automatic in the end zone. The two men have connected for a record eight touchdowns in just four games. It's almost unfair, all Stafford has to do is get the ball in the vicinity of Johnson and he'll bring it down.

His nickname is MegaTron—he's half-man, half-robot, 100 percent beast. 

The frightening thing about this tandem is that they have just began to scratch the surface of what they can accomplish. Expect Johnson to start nabbing at least eight balls a game for the rest of the season.

With the Lions hosting Monday Night Football in Week 5, look for the Stafford to Johnson connection to blow the roof off of Ford Field.