Freeney and Mathis Tandem Left off NFL Network’s “Best Pass Rush Duo” List

You’ve probably seen this one making the rounds on Twitter, and on the Colts official website.

Yesterday, NFL Network’s Elliot Harrison listed his top 5 “Pass Rush Duos” of All Time. Notably absent from the list was the tandem of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. And as you can imagine, this got noticed quickly by both the team, and by Mathis as well.

It is puzzling as to why the Freeney - Mathis combo was left off the list. At first, I thought that Harrison was just picking the best 5 seasons from a pass rush duo. And as the Colts website notes, Freeney and Mathis never had one individual season that topped the five on this list.

However. The list includes a two-year span of dominance from Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, rending the single year argument moot.

Between 2003 and 2012, Freeney and Mathis compiled a total of 186 sacks. And yes, that averages out to 19 per season.

The tandem played a key role in how the 2000s Colts were designed as well. Build a lead with Peyton Manning and the offense, then force the other team to have to play catch-up and be able to turn Mathis and Freeney lose.

You can view the whole list (and the Colts’ thoughts on this) at this link.