Biggest Rivlary in the NFL?

[BmoreBlackByrdz]

wow, very little mention of the Cowboys and Redskins, isn't that a HUGE rivalry?

[throwback54milkman]

I love Jets - Pats but they always kick our butts

[TitanHope]

Originally Posted by RAVENS/WIZARDS/ORIOLES

Yea I agree. Colts/Pats would get more views but not because of the intensity of the rivalry but because of the explosive offense you would see from both teams. People like high scoring more than good defense for some reason.

I disagree. I think if you polled football fans on whether or not they like smash-mouth football or shoot-out football, smash-mouth would win.

Colts-Pats has two 1st ballot HoF QB's facing off. Tom Brady has just recently broken Manning's single season TD record. The history between the two teams have matched up NFL posterboy Tony Dungy vs NFL villain Bill Belichick, and the winner of the games, especially in the postseason, has had Super Bowl implications. They're the two most successful teams this decade. Not to mention, they both used to be in the old AFC East, so they used to have division rivalry, and that still lingers. There's plenty of depth and intensity there.

[RAVENS/WIZARDS/ORIOLES]

I just don't see it being a rivalry like the Ravens/Steelers who are fighting for the division every year. I can only remember 2 games last year that was as intense as the Steelers/Ravens games(3) and those were the 2 against the Titans

[tjsunstein]

Originally Posted by TitanHope

Even after the Cutler signing? Rodgers vs Cutler could be very good in the future. There's already debate on who's the better QB.

Plus, if there were a Bears/Packers, Steelers/Ravens, and Colts/Patriots game playing simultaneously, I'd say that the Colts/Patriots game gets higher ratings and more buzz leading up to it. All are great rivalries though, and intensity is subjective.

Colts - Patriots would get the tv time over the other two because of recent success. Patriots vs. anyone but the Lions would get the call because the NFL is on the Patriots jock plus they're marketable. Everyone wants to watch the best, and that's what the Patriots are. Those two teams combine for 4 of the last 8 Super Bowl winners. Not to mention the story line that would carry. Brady vs. Manning. It has the most appeal right now to the casual fan. Two of the best teams in the AFC squaring up.

I would admit that the Bears/ Packers game would be the last one to get the call of those three. Only because of what has been stated earlier in this post and the "rematch" marketability (word?) of the Ravens/Steelers game from last year's playoffs.

Any time a team plays 175 times or more then they are instantly a bigger rivalry then two teams that so happen to meet in the playoffs and every now and then in the regular season (Colts-Patriots). Plus, the Bears and Packers are in the same division. Those games are instantly more intense and filled with more hatred. Believe it or not, even though the Packers were dominant in the beginning of the merger, the Bears lead the series. Oh, and the number of hall of famers that played in this rivalry against each other trumphs every other rivalry out there.

I am however surprised at the lack of mention of the Redskins and Cowboys. They have 8 super bowls between them. I think that's more than any other rivalry. Guess who they had to go through to get them at the time? Each other.

[Bucs_Rule]

Last season Ravens/Steelers was the biggest, but they weren't really big before that. They were rivals, but you need to be competing against eachother for division crown or homefield advantage. I can't say one is the biggest based on just one season.

I'd say Colts/Pats. They have had a great rivarly for so many years. They had a down year last season, but both finished with atleast 11 wins and Brady was injured.

[7-11]

Originally Posted by Splat420

The chess match between Peyton Manning and Ray Lewis is always fun to watch as well.

You think so? Peyton Manning has consistently handled Baltimore in the last few years. Manning v Belichick always provides much more entertaining battles.

[TitanHope]

Originally Posted by RAVENS/WIZARDS/ORIOLES

I just don't see it being a rivalry like the Ravens/Steelers who are fighting for the division every year. I can only remember 2 games last year that was as intense as the Steelers/Ravens games(3) and those were the 2 against the Titans

Ravens/Titans ain't no joke, though! We hate you guys! ;)

Actually, in the first pre-game meeting for the regular season game, Keith Bulluck yelled out "We f**king hate these guys!" :D

I posted this in the AFC South forum a while back: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...=tsn&type=lgns

What makes a great NFL rivalry? Familiarity, intensity, passion and good old-fashioned hatred are all key elements. The payoff, however, comes in the two teams involved combining to play consistently great football.

Tradition plays a big part, but over the years new rivalries evolve while old ones dissolve. Classics such as Bears-Packers and Cowboys-Redskins now have a different feel. Others, such as Chiefs-Raiders, 49ers-Rams and Bengals-Browns, recently have lacked luster because neither team has performed at a high level.

Here, then, are the top 10 NFL rivalries going into the 2009 season, based on competitiveness and compelling storylines:

1. Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
In retirement, John Madden didn't leave us with enough onomatopoeia to describe all the hard-hitting, head-snapping, clock-cleaning and slobber-knocking that happens when Baltimore and Pittsburgh trade blows. The NFL's most visceral rivalry isn't for the faint of heart, stomach, mind or body. This is physical football at its best.

The defenses fly around smacking everything, but the offenses also have enough tough personalities to stand up and fight for every extra yard. Two players who come to mind immediately are Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis(notes) and Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward(notes).

The teams clearly are the class of the AFC North, and playing each other three times a season might become a habit.

2. Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots
This has become the NFL's most anticipated matchup. The window for both teams to win another Super Bowl with their current core groups is closing—maybe more so for Indianapolis—which should add desperation to the usual intensity of this game.

It also helps that Tom Brady(notes) will be back to duel with Peyton Manning(notes), and the '09 game will be in the controlled environment of Lucas Oil Stadium. The best games in the series tend to be played at Indy. This year's big twist is Jim Caldwell taking over as coach Bill Belichick's counterpart.

Don't plan anything for Nov. 15, because this year's prime-time game follows Packers-Cowboys.

3. NFC East vs. NFC East
Again, just naming Dallas-Washington from this division would be unfair. All six round-robin rivalries involving the Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Redskins have been awesome of late as the NFC East features the league's most competitive quartet.

It's not just the unpredictable games that seem to turn on one or two plays, it's also four high-profile ownerships that wage their war with aggressive signings, drafts and trades. These owners have deep pockets and are passionate about winning. Each franchise also has huge fan bases and high-profile players and coaches.

It all makes for compelling competition, good enough to get the best time-slot treatment from Fox and NBC.

4. New York Jets vs. New England Patriots
This will be considerably different without the potential for Belichick sharing a cold handshake with Eric Mangini, but it's still good as the NFL's milder version of Yankees-Red Sox.

New England has been New York's nemesis the whole decade. The last time the Jets had a legitimate Super Bowl contender was '98; the Patriots have pretty much been Super Bowl-caliber since '01.

Under new coach Rex Ryan, the Jets are trying to build their defense in a Mangini-style, versatile 3-4 form, and several players have lined up for both teams over the years. Even though the Jets hate losing to the Patriots, their best strategy has been to copy New England's winning blueprint.

5. Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers
We're going with Denver-San Diego as the AFC West's rivalry representative, because the Raiders have been so bad in recent years. The Broncos and Chargers have produced meetings filled with comebacks and controversy. It's too bad, though, that Mike Shanahan is gone from the Broncos' sideline, and that Philip Rivers(notes) no longer can bark at Jay Cutler(notes).

The Broncos have been able to slow down LaDainian Tomlinson(notes) and Antonio Gates(notes). And don't forget the convenient contrast in climates. To quote Frank Cushman in Jerry Maguire: "Hell, I'd either surf or ski—I don't care."

6. Green Bay Packers vs. NFC North
The Bears remain as hated as ever, and Cutler only adds to the hatred. The Vikings are stirring the pot again with the Brett Favre(notes) talk. And the Lions keep inviting Green Bay to their Thanksgiving bash, hoping for a happier feast. You think Chicago first as the Packers' archrival, but really, it has expanded to everyone in the division.

There's something about the humble hamlet and its storied football history in a fight against three Midwest metropolises. Of course, most of Wisconsin loves the Pack, and it helps that the state is nestled around Illinois and Minnesota and just an extended right arm away from Michigan.

7. New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins
Even before Bill Parcells took over, Miami caused the class of the NFL problems. For some reason, the Dolphins' defense could get the better of Tom Brady. Then Parcells and coach Tony Sparano rekindled the flames last season with the "Wildcat" fires. It will be interesting to see how fun this one gets with Brady's return and the Dolphins' addition of Pat White(notes).

8. Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans
This one also had a good comeback last season. After a few down years for Tennessee, it appeared as though Jacksonville had taken its place as Indianapolis' chief AFC South rival. Then Jeff Fisher's team snatched the division crown away. Really, this rivalry started when the division was formed seven years ago, with the Volunteers' favorite son Peyton Manning taking on a team from Nashville. It then hit an early peak when Manning and Steve McNair(notes) were named league co-MVPs in 2003. Expect a great series in '09.

9. Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers
Although it had a little more oomph when Julius Peppers(notes) and Carolina's defense were trying to chase down Michael Vick(notes), it's still pretty good. Both teams have returned to the top of the standings. They don't get much attention from the national media, and the rivalry is overshadowed regionally by ACC and SEC football. Still, there have been good battles. In the revolving-door NFC South, these two will fight hard to stay 1-2 over New Orleans and Tampa Bay next season.

10. Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys
It's good to see this classic coming back strong. Of course, this always will be remembered as the Ice Bowl matchup, but there also was Brett Favre and Troy Aikman in the early to mid-'90s. It was a huge hit on the NFL Network two years ago, when we saw Aaron Rodgers(notes) step into his first duel with Tony Romo(notes). This year's game is at Lambeau, as the lead-in to Pats-Colts.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Smooth Criminal

Yea, they draw tv ratings and have marketable players.

...and most years this decade it's had the most storylines and been the biggest draw of any non playoff/Super Bowl game.

[7-11]

Originally Posted by BmoreBlackByrdz

wow, very little mention of the Cowboys and Redskins, isn't that a HUGE rivalry?

I believe it ended an SWDC career for one poster on this board

[CashmoneyDrew]

Originally Posted by 7-11

I believe it ended an SWDC career for one poster on this board

Seriously? Details good sir. Details.

[tjsunstein]

Soo, this is a list of the best rivalries since 2000? Not in the history of the NFL?

[7-11]

Originally Posted by VoodooMonkey

Seriously? Details good sir. Details.

Oh dear that's pressure. It was when i first joined the board so it could be a bit sketchy but there was a bet between a Cowboys fan and a Redskins fan (21ST??) entailing whomever's team lost in the regular season matchup, would leave the board. Cowboys win, Redskins fan leaves.

Someone involved or actually active want to confirm or deny?

[Xonraider]

Raiders - Refs

[TitleTown088]

Originally Posted by 7-11

Oh dear that's pressure. It was when i first joined the board so it could be a bit sketchy but there was a bet between a Cowboys fan and a Redskins fan (21ST??) entailing whomever's team lost in the regular season matchup, would leave the board. Cowboys win, Redskins fan leaves.

Someone involved or actually active want to confirm or deny?

Ya it was Seantaylor21 but he came back. I forget what his new name is, but i'm pretty sure he's back.

That bet was sweeet though. Loser leaves town type deal. Too bad he didn't hold up on it.

[TitleTown088]

Ooops . double.

[TitleTown088]

Originally Posted by Smooth Criminal

Sure they changed names, but the team and the hate has been there back since their Cleveland days. To most people, the Steelers/Browns rivalry turned into Steelers/Ravens the day they moved.

It's a new fan base in Baltimore though...Isn't that significant?

[fenikz]

Bears vs Packers

[Gay Ork Wang]

Originally Posted by TitleTown088

Ya it was Seantaylor21 but he came back. I forget what his new name is, but i'm pretty sure he's back.

That bet was sweeet though. Loser leaves town type deal. Too bad he didn't hold up on it.

well ryanleaf#1 sorta did something like that

[Brent]

Originally Posted by tjsunstein

Soo, this is a list of the best rivalries since 2000? Not in the history of the NFL?

Considering the average age of people on this forum, that is apparent.

[DeepThreat]

Historically, Browns - Steelers has to be in the conversation. Right now it obviously isn't, just because of how much the Browns suck. But even now, there is nothing more insane than Cleveland Browns Stadium when the Steelers are in town.

[Splat]

NFL vs first round draft picks. :)

[tjsunstein]

Originally Posted by Brent

Considering the average age of people on this forum, that is apparent.

I should have figured. It's all based on biased opinion then.

[TitleTown088]

Originally Posted by Splat420

NFL vs first round draft picks. :)

Uhhhh. Why is you sig/avy polluting my screen with ginger? ;)

[RAVENS/WIZARDS/ORIOLES]

Originally Posted by tjsunstein

I should have figured. It's all based on biased opinion then.

Yea it is based on what we see. I am from Baltimore the biggest rivalry we see is the Ravens/Steelers. I don't watch any game and feel exhauste afterwards other than the Ravens/Steelers. There is no right answer to this question it is just opinion.