Bears/packers is probably the best all time rivalry(along w/ Dal/Was). It hasn't been great recently until last year which should help it get back near the top if these teams remain as top NFC contenders.
It was pretty one-sided until about 2005, when Manning finally won a game at Foxboro. Then the Colts had the upper hand for a while... the 2006 AFCCG, the 2009 "4th-and-2" game, etc. The Patriots won in '07, but then lost in '08 without Brady... very back-and-forth since '05. I think you're right, though, in that it's not quite as bitter or nasty as an in-division rivalry would be. Another reason I'm hoping the lockout is ended is that I'd hate to lose a full year of Jets-Pats games while Brady's still (relatively) in his prime.
Spygate polarized the Jets-Pats rivalry and Rex Ryan magnified it, but right now there's no rivalry in pro football that even approaches Ravens-Steelers. Not even close.
I think the question posed on the show (and thus in this thread) was asking in terms of current rivalries, i.e. excluding historical ones. Steelers/Ravens is probably the most intense. Nevertheless, Jets/Pats evidently has more mass appeal right now due to several factors, including Division rivals and history, but more so - currently - Rex/Belichick, Spygate, Sanchez/Brady, and balanced competition. Furthermore, both teams are so polarizing -- casual fans across the country generally either love or hate them.
I think Ravens-Steelers rivalry is bigger than anything else. But I think Jets-Pats ratings will be much higher than Steelers-Ravens game next year if there is football.
Yeah, and that's the thing. There's a dichotomy in the rivalries' widespread interest. For true, knowledgeable (regarding the game itself on the field) football fans, the Steelers/Ravens rivalry is more intense than any other. But if you also incorporate drama and theatrics along with the on-field game, then the Jets/Pats rivalry is bigger because it allures both the true fans and the casual fans -- which is probably why 2011 Jets/Pats Playoff game had a higher TV rating than the 2011 Steelers/Ravens Playoff game (although there are variables, such as Saturday game and Sunday game that probably affect the rating).
