ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Calvin Johnson isn't sure how many times it happened -- but the Detroit Lions wide receiver is definitely familiar with the phrase "You Got Mossed."

He may have even used it a few times himself.

Of course, the best receiver currently in the NFL is quite familiar with Randy Moss -- the man who the phrase is named after and the guy who was considered the best receiver in the NFL prior to Johnson.

"Big fan, of course," Johnson said. "Everybody used the term, 'You got mossed.' So, of course, the great catches he made on the field to all of his great plays over the years of his career."

Johnson and Moss are often mentioned in similar breaths when comparisons are made because they are both tall receivers with elite speed and superior leaping ability. Johnson, though, has not yet caught the "30 For 30" on Moss that ran Tuesday night and started the line of questioning about Moss on Wednesday.

"When I first came into the league, Randy Moss was kind of that big, long receiver who could stretch the field, run by you, separate from any corner he played against," former Broncos cornerback Quentin Jammer said earlier this year. "(Johnson) is a bigger version of that, out-muscle you and run by you."

Moss is statistically superior to Johnson in comparisons eight years into their careers. Moss had seven 1,000-yard seasons in his first eight years and 10 or more touchdowns in six of his first eight seasons.

Johnson, more than halfway through his eighth season with the Lions, has had five 1,000-yard seasons and caught 10 or more touchdowns four times. He does, though, have the single-season receiving record of 1,964 yards.

There is little doubt, though, the two are contemporaries in a very small class of receivers throughout history, perhaps joined by Jerry Rice and less than a handful of others.

"It's cool," Johnson said of the comparisons to Moss. "You've got big guys that can go up and make big plays down the field, so I think that's the biggest thing."

For opponents, it's been the biggest challenge, too.

Denver Broncos NFL Nation reporter Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.