RIPPED Rivalry | Jerry Rice vs. Randy Moss

The Battle of the GOATs

For most NFL fans, Jerry Rice and Randy Moss are the two best wide receivers of all time. Interestingly, the two have some similarities regarding how they were introduced to the NFL. Neither Rice nor Moss attended a major college program. Rice went to Mississippi Valley State; Moss attended Marshall. Rice was drafted 16th overall (after the Niners made a trade to jump one spot above the Cowboys, who were prepared to draft the receiver), and Moss fell to 21st and the Minnesota Vikings.

Both players were absolute studs in college. Rice caught 24 passes in a single game, while Moss scored at least one touchdown in all 28 games he played at Marshall. But, in the pros, these two went from intriguing prospects to all-time greats. Let’s take a look at the tale of the tape between Rice and Moss, two revolutionary NFL wideouts.

Rice vs. Moss – Rookie Seasons

Rice arrived in San Francisco in 1985, joining a franchise coming off one of the greatest seasons in league history. The Niners went 15-1 in 1984/85 before trouncing Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX. Rice had his moments despite starting only four games, including ten catches and 241 yards against the Los Angeles Rams.

Moss made perhaps the most electric entrance ever to the NFL. Playing with Randall Cunningham and Cris Carter, Moss’ Vikings set the NFL record for points scored at 556. It’s a record that would stand until Moss and the New England Patriots broke it in 2007. His first Monday Night Football game was the stuff of legends, as the rookie stomped all over Lambeau Field, putting up 190 yards, two touchdowns, and four receptions of forty yards or more. He finished third in MVP voting.

Rice vs. Moss – Best Single Season

Jerry Rice’s 1987/88 season set a new high watermark for the position. Playing only twelve games due to a player strike, Rice made up for lost time as he went about redefining the wide receiver position. Twenty years later, Moss put together his own Magnum Opus as he joined forces with Tom Brady to put together the greatest regular season a team has ever had.

Rice vs. Moss – Postseason Accomplishments

While Rice had the good fortune to play much of his career with Joe Montana and Steve Young on many fantastic 49er teams, Moss’ teams were more inconsistent. While he did get good to great quarterback play at times through Randall Cunningham, Daunte Culpepper, and, of course, Tom Brady, playoff success eluded Moss. Rice had his chances to win, and he delivered.

Moss played in only one Super Bowl during his prime. He was not his dominant self, although he did score a touchdown to put the Patriots ahead within minutes of a perfect season before the Helmet Catch changed everything. His playoff career feels more like a what-if. What if Gary Anderson hits that field goal in the NFC title game during his rookie season? What if Eli and Tyree don’t work a miracle? What if Brady stays healthy the following year? With Moss, there are questions. With Rice, there are answers.

Rice vs. Moss – Career Accomplishments

Rice and Moss are two iconic players who took the sport of football off of the ground and into the air for good. They have similar seasons of production and dominance. But, when you account for longevity and volume, Rice is simply untouchable. He’s got over 5,000 more receiving yards than second-place Larry Fitzgerald. He’s got 41 more touchdowns than second-place Moss. He’s not just in rarified air. He is the rarified air. There’s nothing else around.

Legacies Secured

Of Moss, former teammate Robert Smith said, “He’d beat you before you even faced him. I’ve never heard defensive players talk the way they talked about him. I shouldn’t say that; there’s one other player who was like that: Barry Sanders. It’s like they knew they were inadequate to perform the job they were supposed to do against those two. They just couldn’t do it. There was no way athletically to get the job done.”

Of Rice, Steve Young said, “He rose to every occasion. The bigger the moment, the better he played. Jerry got faster in uniform. He carried the equipment better than anyone who has ever played. On the street, he might not be the fastest, but on the field, he was faster than everybody.”

Considering Rice and Moss at their respective peaks, they really are neck-and-neck. And, while Rice’s numbers stand alone, choosing between them is ultimately a matter of taste. Rice and Moss may never be bumped off of Wide Receiver Mount Rushmore.

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