NFL's Greatest Rivalries
Hello Skins faithful,
Someone wrote me recently, and suggested that I reduce the amount of news I place on my page related to the Cowboys. I think he may have a good point. Anyway, it got me thinking about rivalries in the NFL, and how lucky we are to have a team as thoroughly despicable as the Cowboys to lavish our hate on. I was wondering if people could think of any other analogous rivalries. Or given that there is no rivalry in the NFL as passionate as the Redskins / Cowboys rivalry, what are the other, lesser rivalries that are out there? As far as I can see there are four ways a rivalry can come into existence. The first, most constant way is through divisional rivalry. The second, most passionate, but shortest lived way is through playoff success. The third, weaker way is through regional rivalry. And the fourth, most variable way is because of some cause, like they stole your team. These are the current rivalries that I can currently see in the NFL, rated from 1-10 (10 = Eternal, 5 = Solid, 1 = Of interest):
Someone wrote me recently, and suggested that I reduce the amount of news I place on my page related to the Cowboys. I think he may have a good point. Anyway, it got me thinking about rivalries in the NFL, and how lucky we are to have a team as thoroughly despicable as the Cowboys to lavish our hate on. I was wondering if people could think of any other analogous rivalries. Or given that there is no rivalry in the NFL as passionate as the Redskins / Cowboys rivalry, what are the other, lesser rivalries that are out there? As far as I can see there are four ways a rivalry can come into existence. The first, most constant way is through divisional rivalry. The second, most passionate, but shortest lived way is through playoff success. The third, weaker way is through regional rivalry. And the fourth, most variable way is because of some cause, like they stole your team. These are the current rivalries that I can currently see in the NFL, rated from 1-10 (10 = Eternal, 5 = Solid, 1 = Of interest):
Divisional Rivalries
NFC East
11 - Washington vs. Dallas: Obviously one of the most bitter rivalries in the NFL
11 - Washington vs. Dallas: Obviously one of the most bitter rivalries in the NFL
NFC Central
08 - Green Bay vs. Chicago: Historical, but currently a mismatch
04 - Green Bay vs. Tampa Bay: More media created, due to similar names
NFC West
04 - San Francisco vs. Carolina: Not very historical, and possibly a mismatch now
01 - San Francisco vs. Rams: I think it’s dead since the Rams moved.
AFC East
08 - Buffalo vs. Miami
07 - NE vs. Jets: Bill Parcels vs. his former team, Boston v. NY
AFC Central
09 - Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland: This was a 10, and could be again
05 - Pittsburgh vs. Jax: I’m not sure what will happen when Cleveland comes back
08 - Baltimore vs. Cleveland: Doesn’t exist yet, but we know it will be bitter
AFC West
10 - Oakland vs. KC: This is a bitter one too
Regional Rivalries
02 - Bay Area (Oakland vs. SF)
01 - Washington vs. Baltimore
03 - Florida: (TB vs. Miami)
04 - NY: (Jets vs. Giants)
01 - Washington vs. Baltimore
03 - Florida: (TB vs. Miami)
04 - NY: (Jets vs. Giants)
Rivalries Based on Success
08 - Super Bowl winner vs. Super Bowl loser
06 - Green Bay vs. Dallas
06 - SF vs. Dallas
05 - SF vs. Green Bay
06 - Green Bay vs. Dallas
06 - SF vs. Dallas
05 - SF vs. Green Bay
Rivalries Based on Cause
06 - Baltimore vs. Indy: Two team thieves
04 - Miami vs. Dallas: Johnson v. Johnson
03 - Carolina vs. Washington: Gilbert, two draft picks, and stolen territory
02 - Tennessee vs. Indy: Peyton v. his home crowd
04 - Miami vs. Dallas: Johnson v. Johnson
03 - Carolina vs. Washington: Gilbert, two draft picks, and stolen territory
02 - Tennessee vs. Indy: Peyton v. his home crowd
Can anyone name any others?
Hail!
Chris Suh
Chris Suh