This was on NFL Live, so yeah, I know it's a bunch of crap; but I thought it'd at least be worth discussing. The panelists were Derrick Mason, Stink, and Golic. Mason: Packers v Bears Stink: Raven v Steelers Golic: Eagles v Cowboys I'm not concerned as much with the panelists' opinions, but I'm curious about the nation-wide opinion on this. Without examining any numbers, I'd think that the Jets v Pats games (both regular season and Playoffs) generate a huge rating, especially since the advent of Rex, and is considered one of the best rivalries, more so than the current Packers v Bears rivalry, as well as most others. I know, regionally, all of these rivalries are intense, but I was thinking along the lines of mass appeal and interest. Seems the Jets v Pats rivalry has more substance than the others. Is there an argument against this?
Agreed. My decision is based on, If I'm flipping through the TV channels, what am I most inclined to tune into? As of now, I'll probably ALWAYS watch the Ravens v Steelers when it's televised. I guess it's impossible to be objective here, but in trying to hold an outsider's perspective, I think I'd also ALWAYS watch the Jets v Patriots -- that rivalry seems much more gripping than the other two that were mentioned.
Besides the rivalries already mentioned, Falcons vs. Saints will probably be a pretty good division rivalry next season.
The biggest reason why is the fact that there is pure hatred between both teams for the other one that runs deeply throughout each entire organization. But yet born out of that hatred is a deep rooted respect for the other. Its flat out awesome watching the games between these teams. its great that the fans hate the opposing team with a passion, but when the players start to really hate them as well, thats when great rivalries are born. As for Pack vs. Bears, thats starting to come back, but the two teams were just on the up and up at the same time for 1 year. It takes a lot longer for the blood to boil amongst the players and the fire of an old rivalry to be rekindled. Eagles vs. Cowboys is a rivalry, but I honestly don't feel the teams actually dislike each other, and since they have both been hot and cold over the last couple years, i don't see this as much more of a rivalry than any other division matchup.... The other one that was mentioned by Mr. E, Falcons vs. Saints. He even said it isn't there yet, but I am willing to bet that this year is the start of what could be an intensely fought year in, year out battle for the division. I think if the Saints can maintain their youth over the next 5-6 years, Saints-Falcons is going to be the biggest NFC rivalry in that time, if not the entire NFL. But as it currently stands, its Ravens Steelers followed closely by Jets Pats. That said, I get the sense the Ravens are headed for a bit of a decline in the next couple years (not a huge one, but one that will make they a wildcard team as opposed to a real contender) while the Jets Pats rivalry is only going to heat up after the schelacking we put on their asses in Foxboro last year. The next Jets Pats game is going to be a bloody battle.
These were from last year's Playoffs: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...arns-record-tv-ratings-for-divisional-playoff http://content.usatoday.com/communi...-highest-for-nfl-divisional-game-since-1997/1 http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-01-17/jets-patriots-most-watched-nfl-playoff-game-ever Not sure why there's a discrepancy between which was the previously highest rated game, but it seems the Jets v Pats (Playoffs) is the most watched game nation-wide.
I kind of disagree on that one... Pats-Colts is a pretty big deal, no? Mostly because of the QBs, but still... those were the #1 and #2 teams from the past decade in terms of overall wins. And because of the scheduling formula (and playoffs), they've played each other every year since 2003. Six of the last 10 Super Bowls have included one of those two teams. Personally I still think it's one of the best match-ups each season. I think Pats-Jets got more interesting over the past two seasons, obviously, with Ryan coming on and his "not here to kiss Belichick's rings" comments. Plus there's a lot of history between the teams going back to Parcells, Curtis Martin, etc. Steelers-Ravens is always a good one. Those guys hate each other. The other two choices were, for me anyway, really lame. I can't take Chicago seriously with Cutler at QB. He's a chump, and probably always will be. Million dollar arm, ten cent head. The Eagles/Cowboys rivalry goes back a ways, but aside from Philly's SB appearance against NE, neither team has done much to impress me in recent years. Philly had a nice run last year, but look at how it ended.
to discuss this topic on our board is absurd. this would be a good poll for someone like yahoo or espn to do to see what the country thinks. and what everyone thinks regionally.
Right now.. the biggest rivalry in the NFL is.... Owners vs Players. :sad: There are a lot of great rivalries that go back to the beginning of the league. Bears and Packers have to be one of the tops. Cowboys vs Eagles/Redskins would be another big one for me. I don't really feel like the Jets really have that kind of old school rivalry, although in our early years I would think the Raiders would have qualified. Lot of heated battles back in Namath's time with them. Jets-Pats is probably one of the most lively recent rivalries. We have always been rivals, but until the Parcells era it wasn't much of a rivalry. Over the last few years it has really heated up.
Not saying it isn't a big deal, just that I personally hated that rivalry. They played each other every year, and the Pats came out on top most of the time. I got tired of seeing Brady/Manning being that I detest both QBs.
Just to echo what most have said, I agree with this 100%. The others mentioned in the OP, I don't see how anyone can still see those games as interesting. Giants/Eagles way before Cowboys/Eagles. And Bears/anyone is a joke these days.
Today - to you. To the fans that have watched longer and have seen more football than you and I, perhaps not. Sure, some rivalries are cold now, but to the fans it isn't dead.
