Jackson, Maclin give Eagles two No. 1 receivers

"Who do you got?"

"Who's the No. 1 receiver on this team?"

 The question was posed by an Eagles player to a reporter as he knelt in front of Jeremy Maclin's locker and with DeSean Jackson within earshot four stalls down.

The intention was to embarrass the reporter because, really, it's a question that can be argued either way.

Do you take the workmanlike Maclin, who once looked like a long shot to even play this season but is now on pace to set a franchise record in receptions? Or do you give the nod to the explosive Jackson, who has scored more touchdowns from over 50 yards than any other player since 2008?

And does it even matter?

Pressed, the reporter gave the politically correct answer: "There are two No. 1 receivers on this team."

There was a time when it was almost necessary to have clearly defined roles. The No. 1 receiver was the No. 1 option on the majority of pass plays, and when he wasn't his job was to be a decoy for the No. 2 guy. Some teams had a 1-a and a 1-b, but not many.

But with the increasing reliance on the passing game in the NFL, there is little distinction between the duos in most receiving tandems. There are plenty of balls to go around. And even though Jackson hasn't yet gotten a contract extension, there is plenty of money to go around, too.

"That's not something you really think about, man," Maclin said last week. "I think we're both very talented. I think we complement each other very well. I think we both bring our own style to the table.

"I think that's why that makes us one of the tougher tandems to guard in this league."

Since the start of last season, only one other twosome has as many receiving yards as Maclin and Jackson. Both are on pace to set career highs in receptions and yards this season.

And yet the Eagles are 2-4. All those yards, all those catches, and they could be fading from playoff contention if they lose to the 3-3 Dallas Cowboys Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field.

There are many reasons for the Eagles' slow start, but turnovers and errors have nuked their offense. Maclin and Jackson have been guilty parties - Maclin with a late-game dropped pass and then a late-game fumble, and Jackson with his four dropped passes.

The mistakes and losses have overshadowed how two supremely talented receivers have coexisted and still managed to be productive. Cris Collinsworth, a very good receiver in his own playing days, said having two No. 1's can work.