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The rule of three states things that come in threes are more effective. This applies to the NFL as well—especially in a league driven by offensive performances.

In Dallas during the 1990s, the Cowboys ran roughshod over the NFL with three thoroughbreds at quarterback, running back and wide receiver. This trio of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin eventually became known as "The Triplets."

Every other trio of skill-position players that followed has been compared to those Hall of Fame performers, but none of them has stacked up against a three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, the NFL's all-time leading rusher and one of the most physically intimidating wide receivers to ever play the game.



The success of the Cowboys threesome can't be replicated, but it doesn't prevent comparisons from being made to today's best.

Last year's production (in total yardage and touchdowns), a player's track record and the trio's average age, with a bit of subjective analysis thrown into the mix, deduced which teams have the league's best triplets.

Certain teams have the potential to place a talented triumvirate on the field, but there are aspects holding them back. Three teams stand above the rest as the 2016 regular season approaches.

Just Fell Short

Multiple teams entered the discussion when deciding which three possessed the league's best triplets, but they fell short for one reason or another.

The Green Bay Packers seem to be an obvious choice with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, running back Eddie Lacy and wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Lacy is in great shape, but he needs to prove himself after last year's down season. The same applies to Nelson—who the team is bringing along slowly after last year's ACL tear.

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The Arizona Cardinals proved to be explosive in 2015 with veteran quarterback Carson Palmer leading the offense and ageless wideout Larry Fitzgerald still finding ways to get open against defensive backs. However, head coach Bruce Arians' squad didn't receive consistent production from its running backs. David Johnson appears ready to make a big leap this fall, but he needs to do so over a full campaign.

Like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Jacksonville Jaguars have a promising trio in quarterback Blake Bortles, running back T.J. Yeldon and wide receiver Allen Robinson. However, Yeldon will split carries with veteran Chris Ivory this season.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Combined yardage: 7,134

Combined touchdowns: 38

Average age: 24

This may be a tad premature, but last year's statistics don't lie. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the only team to feature a 4,000-yard passer, a 1,100-yard runner and 1,200-yard receiver.

Jameis Winston, Doug Martin and Mike Evans form arguably the league's most dynamic young threesome. Only Martin, 27, is older than 23. The group should only get better under new head coach Dirk Koetter, who served as the team's offensive coordinator last season.

Winston lived up to expectations as last year's No. 1 overall pick. He earned 2015 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors and went to his first Pro Bowl. The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner threw for 4,042 yards and added 28 total touchdowns. For the first time in his life, he's fully committed to football after playing baseball at Florida State. After changing some food habits, in addition to his workout regimen, he lost approximately 20 pounds, according to ESPN.com's Jenna Laine. At 22 years old, his potential appears limitless.

Martin revived his career last year and finished second in the league with 1,402 rushing yards. Evans continued to use his 6'5", 231-pound frame to finish 11th overall with 1,206 receiving yards.

This group is young, but it's talented.

2. Atlanta Falcons

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Combined yardage: 8,159

Combined touchdowns: 43

Average age: 27.3

In Kyle Shanahan's second season as the Atlanta Falcons' offensive coordinator, quarterback Matt Ryan, wide receiver Julio Jones and running back Devonta Freeman should continue to improve. It's a scary proposition since all three flashed brilliance at points last season.

Some might argue Ryan is the weak link in this group because he tends to come up small in big games and makes critical errors. Yet he's finished among the top five in passing yardage during each of the last four seasons. A second year in the system will help the veteran quarterback with his decision-making overall and with the football.

Jones is simply a freak. There isn't any other way to phrase the way he dominated the league last year as its leading receiver. The 6'3", 220-pound target with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and a 38.5-inch vertical finished 2015 with 1,871 receiving yards.

While Ryan and Jones have performed well over the last few seasons, Freeman came into his own during his first campaign as the team's lead back. The former fourth-round pick excelled in Shanahan's zone-heavy running game with 1,056 rushing yards. Plus, he excelled in the passing game with 73 receptions for 578 yards.

The Falcons started fast last season before fading. Their trio is talented enough to keep them afloat throughout the season and make them competitive despite other deficiencies within the roster.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

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Combined yardage: 6,521

Combined touchdowns: 34

Average age: 28.7



The Pittsburgh Steelers are the only team in the league who can boast a group that features a Super Bowling-winning quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger, a wide receiver in Antonio Brown who has led the league in receiving yardage (2014) and a running back in Le'Veon Bell who finished among the top two rushers for a season (2014).

Bell is a major concern, though. When he's healthy and clicking, a better threat doesn't exist out of the backfield. Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson is still the NFL's best pure runner, but he doesn't affect the game in both the rushing and passing attack quite like Bell. However, the Michigan State product will enter his second straight season on the suspension list. If the Steelers can trust Bell again, this offense can easily lead the league, because everyone knows what to expect out of Roethlisberger and Brown.

Big Ben is at the peak of his career and came to training camp "noticeably trimmer" this year, according to The MMQB's Albert Breer. The 13th-year veteran only played in 12 games last year, but he tied Drew Brees for the league lead with 4,952 passing yards during the 2014 campaign and gets to throw to the league's best all-around receiver in Brown.

The Steelers' No. 1 target may not be as physically talented as Julio Jones, A.J. Green or DeAndre Hopkins, but his 5,031 receiving yards over the last three years lead the league. His ability to separate from defensive backs and create after the catch is unparalleled.

With Roethlisberger, Brown and Bell—when he's back in the lineup after his three-game suspension—Pittsburgh's offense is nearly impossible to stop.

Three's Company

Today's NFL is geared toward offense. Almost every recent rule change has resulted in a more explosive and higher-scoring game.

In order to take full advantage of the setup, teams need the requisite skill players to consistently win. Quarterback continues to be the obvious starting point, but combining a talented signal-caller with a dominant wide receiver and running back results in a balanced offense and helps create an unpredictable game plan.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished 24-24 overall last season, but they're best positioned to make a leap this season because of their talented triplets.

Everything that comes in threes is better, and these organizations have an ideal setup to post monster offensive numbers.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com.

Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @brentsobleski.