Elite wide receivers could determine outcome

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – For 10 years, it was billed as Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady.

But now, with Manning halfway through his first season in Denver, today’s game between the Indianapolis Colts (6-3) and New England Patriots (6-3) is being hyped for rookie quarterback Andrew Luck’s first game against a three-time Super Bowl MVP.

Perhaps the spotlight should be on receivers Reggie Wayne and Wes Welker, though, as two of the most dynamic and dangerous weapons in the league continue surging seasons.

The quiet, crafty and versatile veterans once again rank atop the NFL this year. Wayne leads all …

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – For 10 years, it was billed as Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady.

But now, with Manning halfway through his first season in Denver, today’s game between the Indianapolis Colts (6-3) and New England Patriots (6-3) is being hyped for rookie quarterback Andrew Luck’s first game against a three-time Super Bowl MVP.

Perhaps the spotlight should be on receivers Reggie Wayne and Wes Welker, though, as two of the most dynamic and dangerous weapons in the league continue surging seasons.

The quiet, crafty and versatile veterans once again rank atop the NFL this year. Wayne leads all receivers with 69 receptions and is second to Detroit’s Calvin Johnson with 931 yards. Welker, meanwhile, is tied for third with 66 receptions and is seventh with 810 yards.

Since Welker arrived in New England in 2007, he has the most receptions (620) and fourth-most yards (6,915) in the league, while Wayne, drafted by Indy in 2001, trails only Atlanta’s Roddy White in yards (7,165), and is tied with Chicago’s Brandon Marshall for No. 2 in receptions (541) during that same span.

Wayne, who had seven straight 1,000-yard seasons between 2004-10, also has scored 39 touchdowns in that time frame to Welker’s 33.

“I’m only nine years (in) right now. It’s hard to keep on playing well. And he’s at 12! And still playing really well,” Welker said of Wayne. “He’s at the top of the league in everything and playing like the best receiver in the league right now. I definitely have an appreciation for it.”

As if replacing the only four-time MVP in league history wasn’t tough enough, imagine how difficult Luck’s transition from college could have been without a dependable target to throw to.

“He doesn’t talk much. He’s not going to sit down and lecture the young guys, but the way he works, the way he prepares during the week, the way he takes care of his body, the way he mentally prepares, is a great example for us all in the locker room,” Luck said. “To boot, he’s a great football player, so it’s fun being able to throw to him.”