October 2, 2013: The NFL Network’s Top Ten Most Heated Rivalries Since 2000 airs, and goes as such:
10. Giants v. Cowboys
To start off our list is a classic duel between two of the NFC, and NFL’s, most historic teams. The storied NFC East foes saw their rivalry build up after Touchdown Tom Brady was drafted by the Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2000 Draft, and Drew Brees was taken by the G-Men in the first round of the 2001 Draft. The rivalry built as both teams became powerhouses and perennial playoff contenders, escalating with the Boys’ acquisition of trash-talking star wideout Terrell Owens, and the Giants’ hiring of the self-assured Nick Saban. It came to a head during the 2004 Season, when Tom Brady earned his nickname “Touchdown Tom” when he threw for seven touchdowns in a game, the first quarterback to do so in decades, and, a week later, Brees accomplished the same feat. The two forces met for a season-ending game in the Meadowlands, which was won by a single point by the home-town Giants, handing them the NFC East and the second playoff seed. The Cowboys went on a tear, shredding the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round, advancing the face, you guessed it, the Giants in the Divisional round. The thriller of a game would go into double overtime, only to be ended when Drew Brees made his iconic “dash” into the end zone. While this rivalry has since cooled along with the Cowboys win total, it’s safe to say there is still no love lost in this rivalry.
9. Rams v. 49ers
The classic LA v. San Fran narrative, the rivalry started off as a competition between the then-St. Louis Rams’ midwestern fanbase and the Niners’ silicon valley followers, but became so much closer to home when the Rams moved to Los Angeles and hired Pete Carroll, the former coach of USC, a rival school of San Fran favorite Stanford, to lead them on the gridiron. Possibly the most intense rivalry is the one between Rams CB Richard Sherman and 49ers QB Jason Campbell, which has blossomed since Sherman became one of the premier corners in the game, trash taking his way to the top. His memorable “You don’t got no trick plays” quote after twice intercepting Campbell is now the rallying cry for Rams fans every time they face the so-called “Boys From The Bay”. When the Niners face the So-Cal creatures, they are quick to remind them of the golden days of Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Steve Young thrashing the NFC West day in and day out. The rivalry, featuring two teams on the rise, is clear to be one to watch.
8. Patriots v. Stallions
From the obvious US against Canada narrative to the old-fashioned AFC East hatred, what else is there to say about our number 8 entry on this list? Iconic moments from the first home defeat for the newly-christened Stallions to soon-to-be Hall of Famer Drew Bledsoe beating the then-Bills in the playoffs on his way to his only ring stick in our mind, and in the Stallions’ memory. The national aspect of it all, the New England Patriots against Canada’s team, really makes this one impossible to ignore, and we look forward to seeing many more matchups between these two enemies.
7. Saints v. Falcons
The heated rivalry has been around forever, but it has become especially interesting to watch the Falcons and Saints spar in the new millennium, with a barrage of intrigue and starting quarterbacks causing this one to become particularly noteworthy. Since the early 2000s, the defense-heavy Saints seemed destined to clash with the dynamic Michael Vick-led Falcons offense. The games between the two platoons were infamous for the carnage and human pain produced, and set records for the amounts of roughness penalties, and alcohol sold, in single games, records that hold to this day. After a dip in production from the Saints in the mid-2000s, the appearance of DE Mario Williams has led to several years of excellence from the men formerly known as the Aints. This was particularly harmful after Michael Vick couldn’t play, and the Falcons became one of the worst teams in the league. With the resurgence of the Falcons under reigning MVP Andrew Luck, we now know that there will be fuel for this fire for quite a while, and we can’t wait until we see the next meeting of these two southern powerhouses.
6. Browns v. Ravens
Of course, they’re on this list. The Ravens, formerly the Browns, have been feeling the scorn of the city of Cleveland since Art Modell relocated the team, and the Browns have been sure to avenge their pain. The two teams have been battling at the top of the AFC North for as long as we can remember, and both sides have never wavered, constantly trying to top one another and nearly breaking one another in the process. Even if the teams didn’t put too much into it, the fans would sure still care, as Cleveland resents Baltimore and Baltimore realizes that the Browns have probably cost them a Lombardi or two. It is one of the most extreme rivalries in the NFL today, and the animosity is so deep it seems to be a Ravens fan and a Browns hater are one and the same.
5. Colts v. Falcons
The Greatest Super Bowl of all time, Manning v. Vick, and the two most exciting prospects of their generations. These two cross-conference squads have a visible hatred of each other and can be counted on to supply drama and suspense whenever they oppose each other. Let’s not forget, the Falcons came within a touchdown of ending the Colts’ undefeated season, and it was Manning who ultimately proved that he was truly the best QB in the NFL. Now, it seems that the one meeting we are all anxious to see is the soon-to-come game between Andrew Luck, the most hyped prospect this century, and Peyton Manning, arguably the most hyped prospect of the last. Both men hail from football families, and now we see who is truly better.
4. Packers v. Vikings
The Packers have been spoiled with great quarterback play, going back to Bart Starr during the Titletown Era, and into the present day with four-time MVP Brett Favre and yearly Pro Bowl presence Jay Cutler. The Vikings fanbase, however, are proud to say that everything they have, they’ve fought for. The two teams share a state border and a frigid climate, as well as a division, but they couldn’t be more different. The Green Bay Packers have 13 world titles, and the Vikings haven’t won a world championship in their history. The Packers have been known for their quarterbacks, while the Vikings have been a defensive team since the great Purple People Eaters. The two have made it clear that they will do anything to beat each other, and will put their bodies on the line to secure bragging rights, and much more.
3. Colts v. Titans
Playoff spots, denied chances, and a shared love of Peyton Manning. The Tennessee Titans fans have been shown to be a rowdy bunch, one of the most active fanbases in the NFL, but they are yet to have a ring, which many blame on, of course, the Colts. One of the NFL’s best franchises, and the best of the 2000s and 2010s, the Hoosiers could have gotten a few more undefeated seasons in if it wasn’t for the Music City men, who have always found a way to make themselves a bump in the road. The Colts have won the AFC South every year since the realignment, stopping the formerly dominant Titans from a guaranteed playoff spot, which they routinely won as the top team in the former AFC Central division. The only real thing the two sides can agree on is that Colts QB and Tennessee Volunteers legend Peyton Manning is one of the greatest of all time, and even then, many Titans fans may balk at praising the franchise of their premier rival.
2. Giants v. Eagles
The bloodiest rivalry on this list, the Giants and the Eagles are notorious for their hatred, partially because of the geographic rivalry and partially because of both teams’ status as playoff contenders. It’s especially notable for the fan interaction, as there have been riots when the two teams face each other. The rivalry has become so big that pop culture has begun to recognize it, and it’s the focus of the feature film The Big Show, a comedy about a Monday Night Football broadcast gone wrong, which features the two fanbases literally going rabid. The two are at each others’ necks so much that small courts had to be set up at Eagles home games when the Giants are in town, and police have to be present when the Eagles come to Manhattan. Adding to this is the excellence of Drew Brees and the continuing force that is Donovan McNabb, and the tension between the two as the dominant quarterbacks in the division. While this rivalry is one for the ages, our top pick is inarguable.
1. Raiders v. Broncos
Who else? This is the rivalry that has defined the NFL since Aaron Rodgers became a superstar and the Broncos won the Super Bowl. Orange Crush v. The Autumn Wind, Big Ben v. AR12, and L.A. v. Denver. These two division rivals bring a new meaning to the word feud, and there is no denying that the Broncos and the Raiders hate each other intensely. The quarterback rivalry alone could make this a top ten rivalry, but the defensive play adds to the intrigue, as the two squads have drastically different reputations. While the Raiders defense has always been a group defined by the slogan “Just win, baby”, the Broncos have been known for their polished style of play. Both squads have defeated the other, and this rivalry has all the makings of a legend if it isn’t already one. We are all looking forward to how our number one entry will go on the future, especially when it comes to Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger.
