As we're dawning on a weekend of big rivals playing one another. Which has me thinking, what is the best NFL rivalry in the game? I'll give you a few to choose from:
Bears vs Packers
This by far is the oldest rivalry in the NFL, but it's not as big as it was back in the glory days of the NFL (Before all of the "Rules" we have in today's NFL). But last year's NFC Championship game may have brought this rivalry back to life in the 2010s. Being two hours away from each other helps fuel this rivalry too. Bears coach Lovie Smith said in his first press conference that he has to win a championship and beat the Packers each season. That says a lot about this rivalry
Colts vs Patriots
This could be the best non-divisional rivalry over the last 9 years (Since the new division alignment in 2002). Brady vs Manning has brought some good regular season and playoff games. No other than the 2006 AFC Championship game, which could be, in my eyes, the best game of this rivalry. Even though this rivalry has simmered down a bit, it's still one of the more intriguing match up.
Cowboys vs Redskins
Yea this could be considered the craziest rivalry in the NFL. Especially in the 2000's, which included one wild Monday Night game in 2005 that Cowboys Fans would love for me not to mention. Lately games in this series have gone to the final play or have been very close.
Steelers vs Ravens
This may be the best rivalry going right now in the NFL. These two teams we're former division rivals (the old AFC Central) and this rivalry has spun off from that. From 2000 on until today, these games have been promising the worth of admission when it comes to watching these two teams battle on the gridiron. Three tightly contested playoff games (2001, 2008, and 2010) all won by the Steelers. But the Ravens have had some big regular-season against this team as well.
Packers vs Vikings
Yea I had to put this one in the mix (homer pick). This rivalry, known as the Border Battle, has had some good games in the past. But this rivalry never took a national stage until the late 90's. Since the 2000's, this rivalry has taken off. With a few great game: 2000 Monday Night Game, Favre to Freeman in OT; 2004 two games that ended 34-31, Ryan Longwell (Kicker for GB 98-04, MIN 05-present) kicking two game-winning FG, only to lose a few weeks later in the NFC Wild Card game; 2009 then Vikings QB Brett Favre plays his old team and beat them twice; 2010 Aaron Rodgers finally beats Favre....twice. The Border Battle continues.......
Jaguars vs Steelers
This is one of the over-looked rivalries, but they have played some great games in this series. These two teams we're former rivals of the old AFC Central division and they hit it off right away when the Jags entered into the NFL in 1995. The first true test of this physical battle happened on one Monday Night in Jacksonville when the Jags won a game off a blocked FG and then Head Coach Bill Cowher seems as if he wanted to "punch" a Jags player after he ran past him during the recovery of that blocked FG. These two teams only met once in the playoffs, 2008 AFC Wild Card, and the Jags won that game in Pittsburgh. These two teams play close games every time they see the field.
Chiefs vs Raiders
Rivals during the AFL days and still at it now. These two teams, just flat out don't like each other. This rivalry began fro the old AFL and continued when both owners, the late Lamar Hunt for the Chiefs and the late Al Davis helped upstart the merger with the NFL. The rivalry lives on but the ironic thing about this is that both owners we're best friends.
Patriots vs Jets
This rivalry took off after Bill Parcells left the Patriots to handle the duties of the New York Jets. Named the "Tuna Bowl". This rivalry is known more for what happens off the field then what happens on it. In 2000, when Parcells stepped down from coaching, he turned the ranks over to his assistant Bill Belichiek, that only lasted two days. Belichick resigned and took the job as Patriots Head Coach. Not the most popular move in the eyes of Parcells. This rivalry may have aided one of the best dynasties in sports. 2001, Jets LB Mo Lewis knocks, then Pats QB Drew Bledsoe out of bounds giving him a chest contusion. Then enters Tom Brady and the rest, as they say, is history. Spy-gate was discovered during the course of this series, when Jets coach (former Pats Defensive Coach Eric Mangini) told the NFL that the Pats videotape other teams practices and stole signals teams used in games for their advantage. Now the rivalry has taken a very comedic approach with Belichick vs Rex Ryan. Stayed tuned.......
Giants vs 49ers
This rivalry is a mostly a playoff rivalry and we're there some GREAT games to this!!! As of the start of the 2011 season, the Giants are 14-13 vs the 49ers. Big playoff games included the 1990 NFC Championship game, which was won by the Giants. Most noticeable for the big hit that Giants LB Lenard Marshall put on 49ers QB Joe Montana, which essentially ended his years with the 49ers.
Cowboys vs Steelers
This is a old-school reference. These two teams are just seem to put the R in Rivalry and with the all-time series tied up at 15-15, you can see why. 3 Super Bowl match-ups and 11 Super Bowls between the two. Yea I would say that this is a good, non-conference rival.
So, what would you say it the NFL's best rivalry???
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