I still can't understand how he is viewed as the 2nd best receiver of all-time and TO is viewed as the third.
Sure you can. You don't agree with it, but yes you can understand it.
Owens has better numbers, but Moss had more eye popping “how did he do that” highlights and I think that colors the mind. My dad still thinks Lynn Swann is a top 5 all time WR, and the numbers aren’t close but he sure has some memorable highlights.
Does he?
Total career stats:
Owens: 15 seasons, 219 g, 1,078 rec, 15,934 yds, 14.8 y/c, 153 td
Moss: 14 seasons, 218 g, 982 rec, 15,292 yds, 15.6 y/c, 156 td
Average per season:
Owens: 71.9 rec, 1,062 yds, 14.8 y/c, 10.2 td
Moss: 70.1 rec, 1,092 yds, 15.6 y/c, 11.1 td
Best individual season:
Owens (2001): 93 rec, 1,412 yds, 15.2 y/c, 16 td
Moss (2007): 98 rec, 1,493 yds, 15.2 y/c, 23 td
Best three seasons (added up):
Owens (2001, 2002, 2000): 290 rec, 4,163 yds, 14.4 y/c, 42 td
Moss (2007, 2003, 1998): 278 rec, 4,438 yds, 16.0 y/c, 57 td
# of 1,400+ yard seasons:
Owens: 2
Moss: 4
# of 1,300+ yard seasons:
Owens: 4
Moss: 6
# of 15+ TD seasons:
Owens: 1
Moss: 4
# of times led league in TD:
Owens: 3
Moss: 5
The argument for Owens was longevity - he was more consistently good at an older age. But his overall career numbers were no better than Moss' (a tick better in a couple of categories, a tick worse in others, but overall very similar), and Moss' per-year numbers were better. Plus, Moss' peak was much better than Owens', whether you're looking at their best individual season, or best three seasons combined.
We also can't really use the argument that Moss played with better QBs. (well he did play with the GOAT of course)
Owens:
- 4 seasons with Steve Young (1996-1999), one of the best to ever play QB (though only a few games with Young in 1999)
- 2 seasons with Donovan McNabb (2004-05), who isn't a HOFer, but was a 6x pro bowler
- 3 seasons with Tony Romo (2006-2008), who was a 4x pro bowler
Moss:
- 4 seasons (3 1/2 really) with Tom Brady (2007-2010), the GOAT
- 6 seasons with Duante Culpepper (1999-2005), a 3x pro bowler
Pretty comparable list actually. And they played in the same era, so it's not like Moss put up his numbers in a more passing-friendly time. They were contemporaries.
I mean, obviously they're both all-time greats, I'd say behind only Jerry Rice (obviously). I have Moss at #2 for what I think are good reasons. I won't go crazy with someone arguing Owens, though I think the better argument is for Moss. But this idea that it's some wacky, mind-blowing notion that Moss was better than Owens is kinda weird.
EDIT: In any case, Owens is ineligible for my perfect Pats team, and Moss is the best WR the Patriots have ever had, so it's him.